OPT Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs
Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with a PA degree and NCCPA certification. Most roles require state licensure, which can affect your start date, so factor that into your OPT timeline. Standard OPT gives you 12 months; STEM OPT extension is not available for PA programs.
Find OPT Orthopedic Physician Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 128+ Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs
See all 128+ Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Orthopedic Physician Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
MaineHealth Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is seeking a fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine to join our Portland, Maine based Orthopedic and Sports Medicine group. Our tertiary group of 25 surgeons, primary care sports medicine physicians and advanced practice providers providing premiere specialty care including Orthopedic Trauma, Sports Medicine Surgery, Upper Extremity, Joint Replacement, Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine, Hand and Foot and Ankle.
This position offers:
- Team-based care model with collaborative approach to care (Primary Care Sports Medicine/Athletic Trainers: team, school and office based/Advance Practice Providers)
- Extensive statewide network of athletic team coverage (High school to professional athletes)
- Vibrant growth and investment in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (New Ambulatory Surgical Center, planned opening 2027/New Orthopedic Center of Excellence, medical office building, planned opening 2027)
- Academic teaching and research opportunities (Tufts University School of Medicine)
- Competitive compensation package, including relocation assistance, CME expense reimbursement, and malpractice insurance.
At MaineHealth, we recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Total compensation packages may include, based on eligibility, recruitment payments, relocation assistance, productivity incentives, and quality incentives.
The annual base salary for this position is $600,000.
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs and career growth opportunities.
Desired Qualifications:
- MD/DO from an accredited medical school.
- Fellowship-trained in Orthopedic Sports Surgery.
- Board Certified/Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery.
Interested candidates should apply online via the MaineHealth Careers website, and for more information contact Alyssa Grant, Physician & APP Recruitment Specialist, at Alyssa.Grant@mainehealth.org.
LOCATION
Portland, Maine - situated on the Maine coast, The Greater Portland Area offers the best of urban sophistication combined with small-town friendliness. The area provides four-season recreational opportunities, such as skiing, hiking, sailing, and miles of beautiful beaches.
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” MaineHealth consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed clinicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire.
To learn more about our system please visit www.mainehealth.org and our benefits page.
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
Description
MaineHealth Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is seeking a fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine to join our Portland, Maine based Orthopedic and Sports Medicine group. Our tertiary group of 25 surgeons, primary care sports medicine physicians and advanced practice providers providing premiere specialty care including Orthopedic Trauma, Sports Medicine Surgery, Upper Extremity, Joint Replacement, Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine, Hand and Foot and Ankle.
This position offers:
- Team-based care model with collaborative approach to care (Primary Care Sports Medicine/Athletic Trainers: team, school and office based/Advance Practice Providers)
- Extensive statewide network of athletic team coverage (High school to professional athletes)
- Vibrant growth and investment in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (New Ambulatory Surgical Center, planned opening 2027/New Orthopedic Center of Excellence, medical office building, planned opening 2027)
- Academic teaching and research opportunities (Tufts University School of Medicine)
- Competitive compensation package, including relocation assistance, CME expense reimbursement, and malpractice insurance.
At MaineHealth, we recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Total compensation packages may include, based on eligibility, recruitment payments, relocation assistance, productivity incentives, and quality incentives.
The annual base salary for this position is $600,000.
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs and career growth opportunities.
Desired Qualifications:
- MD/DO from an accredited medical school.
- Fellowship-trained in Orthopedic Sports Surgery.
- Board Certified/Eligible in Orthopedic Surgery.
Interested candidates should apply online via the MaineHealth Careers website, and for more information contact Alyssa Grant, Physician & APP Recruitment Specialist, at Alyssa.Grant@mainehealth.org.
LOCATION
Portland, Maine - situated on the Maine coast, The Greater Portland Area offers the best of urban sophistication combined with small-town friendliness. The area provides four-season recreational opportunities, such as skiing, hiking, sailing, and miles of beautiful beaches.
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” MaineHealth consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed clinicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire.
To learn more about our system please visit www.mainehealth.org and our benefits page.
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
See all 128+ OPT Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Apply before your OPT start date
State PA licensure can take 6 to 12 weeks after graduation. Start your license application immediately after passing the PANCE so your authorization is in place before your OPT work period begins and you avoid losing authorized days.
Target orthopedic surgery groups and hospital systems
Large hospital systems and orthopedic surgery practices are more likely to have HR infrastructure for sponsoring work visas. Independent single-physician offices rarely have experience with H-1B visa or TN visa sponsorship and may decline without a clear process in place.
Know your visa path before your 12 months run out
PA roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a master's degree in a specific field. Confirm your employer is willing to file an H-1B petition well before your OPT expires, as USCIS processing timelines require early planning.
Understand that STEM OPT does not apply to PA programs
Physician Assistant programs are classified under health sciences, not STEM fields eligible for the 24-month extension. Your OPT window is 12 months. Factor this hard deadline into every job offer negotiation and visa sponsorship conversation with employers.
Highlight your NCCPA certification prominently
Orthopedic employers expect active NCCPA certification as a baseline requirement. Leading your resume and cover letter with your certification status and CAQ in orthopedics, if applicable, removes a common employer concern about international candidate qualifications early in the screening process.
Ask about sponsorship intent during the first interview
Do not wait until an offer is extended to raise visa sponsorship. Ask directly whether the employer has sponsored H-1B or other work visas before. An employer with no prior experience may still sponsor, but you need lead time to educate them.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Orthopedic Physician Assistant roles qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. If your degree is in Physician Assistant Studies or a closely related health sciences field, you can work as an Orthopedic PA under standard OPT for up to 12 months. The role must be directly related to your field of study, which is straightforward for PA graduates entering clinical practice.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Physician Assistant graduates?
No. PA programs are classified under health sciences, not STEM, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension does not apply. You have 12 months of standard OPT. After that, you need a different work authorization category, most commonly an H-1B visa sponsored by your employer. Planning for this transition early is essential.
Does an Orthopedic PA role qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Yes. Physician Assistant is a recognized H-1B specialty occupation because it requires a specific master's-level degree and active NCCPA certification. Orthopedic practices and hospital systems have successfully sponsored PAs under H-1B. Your employer needs to file a Labor Condition Application with the DOL and submit an I-129 petition to USCIS on your behalf.
How does state licensure affect my OPT start date as an international PA?
State PA licensure typically takes 6 to 12 weeks after passing the PANCE, and most employers cannot allow you to work without it. If your OPT authorization is approved before your license arrives, those days still count against your 12-month window. Apply for licensure immediately after graduation to minimize the gap between OPT start and actual work start.
Where can I find Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Browsing Orthopedic PA listings on Migrate Mate helps you focus your applications on employers already familiar with OPT and H-1B sponsorship, rather than spending time on roles where sponsorship is not on the table.