OPT Pathologist Jobs
Pathologist roles on OPT require STEM-designated programs in pathology, laboratory medicine, or a related biological science field, which qualifies you for up to 36 months of work authorization. Most hospital systems and academic medical centers file H-1B visa sponsorship for qualified pathologists, making this one of the stronger OPT-to-visa pipelines in medicine.
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Primary City/State:
Glendale, Arizona
Department Name:
Thrpy-Acute-Hosp
Work Shift:
Day
Job Category:
Clinical Care
The future is full of possibilities. At Banner Health, we’re excited about what the future holds for health care. That’s why we’re changing the industry to make the experience the best it can be. If you’re ready to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Banner Health was named to Fortune’s America’s Most Innovative Companies list for the second year in a row for 2024 and named Most Trustworthy Companies in America by Newsweek. We’re proud to be recognized for our commitment to the latest health care advancements and excellent patient care.
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center has served the Northwest Valley for more than 25 years and our unrelenting focus on excellent patient care has helped us become one of the most preferred hospitals in the Valley. In addition to being a Level 1 Trauma Center, the facility also includes a heart and vascular center, state-of-the-art surgical suites and a new Emergency department.
As a Speech Pathologist, you will have the opportunity to work with our adult patient population and utilize your skills in a fast-paced setting. You will also have the chance to observe, learn and grow as you expand your skills in multiple departments throughout the facility. Banner Thunderbird's team culture creates a dynamic opportunity to provide excellent patient care and collaboration. If you wish to learn more about this incredible opportunity, apply today!
The Speech Pathologist is a full-time, day shift position: 40 hours per week. It is 5 8 hour shifts per week. The shift is Monday through Friday. Previous NICU experience is preferred.
Your pay and benefits (Total Rewards) are important components of your Journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life.
Banner Health’s premier West Valley Level I Trauma for adults and Tertiary Care destination for all ages. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center (BTMC) and Banner Children’s Hospital at Thunderbird provide a preferred destination for surgical, oncological, cardiovascular, neuroscience, orthopedic, pediatric, and women and infant services achieved through best-in-class 5-star CMS rating to provide patients with high quality, safe care for the best possible experience. Our campus is one of the largest campuses in the Banner network with over 3000 employees. BTMC was voted Best of the Best in 2023 by Banner Health out of 30 hospitals. This is the most prestigious award one of our largest hospitals can receive for consistently meeting our annual targets. If you would like to contribute to truly leading edge caring, we invite you to bring your experience and skills to Banner Thunderbird.
Position Summary
This position provides screening, evaluation, and rehabilitation services for patients with speech and language disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency. This position plans and carries out specialized treatment programs, documents treatment, and maintains data regarding patient care. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served.
CORE FUNCTIONS
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Evaluates patients’ functional abilities and limitations to determine appropriate intervention. Develops a plan of care and treatment goals, as ordered by physician or other referral source.
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Implements individualized treatment plans that consider patients’ physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational, and age-specific needs. Ensures that treatment plans are supported by standard practices and/or current literature. Re-evaluates treatment plans, as needed, to ensure maximum patient benefit.
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Educates patients, family, and other care providers to promote patient participation and attainment of therapeutic program goals. Provides individualized home programs with clear instructions.
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Documents patient treatment according to professional and regulatory standards.
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Participates in the provision of training to other staff and students.
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Follows plan of care to accomplish functions within established procedures and scope of practice. Makes independent judgments based on specialized knowledge. Confers with supervisor on any unusual situations. Internal customers: All levels of nursing management and staff, medical staff, and all other members of the interdisciplinary health care team. External Customers: Physician offices, patient families, third party payers, and medical supply companies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited university program.
Current licensure in the state of practice. Certificate of Clinical Competence or documented acceptance in Clinical Fellowship Year. BLS certification required.
Requires the ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers. Must have strong interpersonal communications and human relation skills.
Must have the ability to become proficient with computer software applications commonly used in an automated patient care environment. Employees working for Banner Home Care AZ must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Pathologist
Target academic medical centers first
University hospitals and academic health systems hire pathologists most frequently and have established H-1B visa sponsorship processes. Their HR teams are familiar with OPT timelines and can move through immigration paperwork without the delays common at smaller private practices.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Pathology, biomedical sciences, and clinical laboratory science programs are typically STEM-designated, giving you 36 months total. Verify your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the extension window affects how employers plan your H-1B filing timeline.
Apply 6 to 12 months before your OPT expires
Pathology hiring cycles move slowly due to credentialing and licensing requirements. Starting your search early gives employers enough runway to file an H-1B petition before the April lottery deadline without feeling rushed by your authorization end date.
Address board certification status upfront
Many pathologist positions require or strongly prefer ABP board certification. If you're in residency or fellowship, clarify your expected certification timeline during interviews so employers can assess whether your OPT period aligns with when you'll be fully credentialed and productive.
Pursue subspecialty fellowship training strategically
Subspecialties like hematopathology, neuropathology, and molecular pathology face national shortages, making employers significantly more willing to sponsor visas. Fellowship programs at sponsoring institutions often transition directly into attending roles with H-1B support built into the hiring pathway.
Get your medical credentials verified early
Foreign medical graduates need ECFMG certification and state licensure before practicing as pathologists. Starting credential verification through the relevant medical board immediately maximizes the productive months within your OPT window and removes a common employer hesitation about hiring international candidates.
Pathologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a pathologist on OPT without an employer filing for H-1B?
You can work as a pathologist on OPT without an immediate H-1B commitment, but most positions require one eventually. OPT work authorization is tied to your degree program and lasts up to 36 months on STEM extension. After that, you'll need a different status, so most employers in pathology plan for H-1B sponsorship from the start.
Do pathologist roles typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, most pathology-related graduate degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total after your initial 12 months. Programs in pathology, biomedical sciences, and clinical laboratory sciences typically carry STEM-designated CIP codes. Confirm your program's designation with your DSO before relying on this timeline in job negotiations.
Where can I find pathologist jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find pathologist roles open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Rather than filtering through general job boards where sponsorship willingness is unclear, Migrate Mate surfaces positions from employers already familiar with F-1 OPT work authorization, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to roles that won't move forward with international candidates.
Do I need to be board-certified to work as a pathologist on OPT?
Board certification requirements vary by employer. Academic medical centers and hospital systems often require or strongly prefer ABP certification, while some research or laboratory roles are more flexible. If you're completing residency or fellowship during your OPT period, be transparent with employers about your expected certification date so they can plan credentialing and sponsorship timelines accordingly.
Can I work in a pathology fellowship on OPT?
Yes, pathology fellowship positions are eligible for OPT work authorization provided your employment is directly related to your degree program. Most accredited fellowships in subspecialties like surgical pathology, hematopathology, or molecular pathology satisfy this requirement. Confirm with your DSO that the fellowship role is properly reported to SEVP through your university to maintain valid status throughout the program.