OPT Patient Registrar Jobs
Patient Registrar jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in health information management, healthcare administration, or public health. These roles fall under NAICS healthcare codes that qualify for OPT work authorization, and many hospital systems have established processes for hiring international students on OPT.
Find OPT Patient Registrar JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 53+ Patient Registrar jobs










See all 53+ Patient Registrar Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Patient Registrar roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
What You'll Do:
- Review, analyze, code, and enter cancer incidence data into the state registry.
- Determine case reportability using cancer registry rules and medical information.
- Check incoming reports for completeness and accuracy; resolve data discrepancies.
- Abstract and code hardcopy submissions and consolidate multiple reports into unified case records.
- Maintain compliance with HIPAA and all privacy requirements.
- Provide technical assistance to reporting facilities to resolve documentation or coding issues.
- Link registry data with Vital Statistics death records to identify missing cases.
- Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure data meets national registry standards (e.g., NAACCR, NPCR, SEER, AJCC).
- Support registry operations, process improvements, training materials, and special projects.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
18 mos. exp. in review, edit, coding & classifying of cancer data; AND 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in operation of word processing equipment or personal computer using basic word processing techniques & data entry.
- Or
-
Completion of associates core program in Health Information Management; AND 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in operation of word processing equipment or personal computer using basic word processing techniques & data entry.
-
Or
- Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Health Administration
Technical Skills: Clerical & Data Entry, Medical Records, Medical Terminology, Public Health
Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Written Communication
Educational Transcript Requirements:
Official educational transcripts are required for all post-high school educational accomplishments, coursework or degrees claimed on the application. Applicants will be required to submit an official transcript prior to receiving a formal offer of employment. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) working days of being requested will cause the applicant to be eliminated from further consideration.
Please note that a transcript is considered "official" only if it is an original copy from the educational institution and includes an institutional watermark, ink stamp or embossed stamp. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to assess the academic credibility of an educational entity's award of a putative degree.
Additional Qualifications:
Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
- Certified Tumor Registrar/Oncology Data Specialist
- Certification as a Registered Health Information Technician or Registered Health Information Administrator
- Associates or advanced degree in Health Information Management or other healthcare related field
- Experience in use of registry-specific technical materials (e.g., North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, American Association for Cancer Research, Facility Oncology Registry Data Standards, American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manuals)
- Experience working in a cancer registry
- Experience working with cancer registry computer software (e.g., Registry Plus Software System, Health Level 7[HL7] Integration Software)
- Coursework in Anatomy or Physiology
- Experience providing technical assistance or training
- Experience writing instructional/educational materials
All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record.
Supplemental Information
Unless required by legislation, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 29, Step 1 of the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule ($24.88 per hour), with an opportunity for pay increase after six months ($25.61) of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
Oncology Data Specialist (formerly Certified Tumor Registrar [CTR]) receive a 5% pay supplement; on-going renewal/maintenance of certification by National Cancer Registrars Association (i.e., NCRA) Council on Certification is necessary to retain pay supplement.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
All applicants must submit a completed Ohio Civil Service Application using the TALEO System. Paper applications will not be considered. Applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications. Applicants are also encouraged to document any experience, education and/or training related to the job duties above. An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.
STATUS OF POSTED POSITION:
You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Jobs you applied for will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details.
BACKGROUND CHECK NOTICE:
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
See all 53+ OPT Patient Registrar Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Patient Registrar Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Patient Registrar
Target large hospital systems over small clinics
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers and regional health systems employ dedicated HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller independent clinics often lack the infrastructure to support international students, making larger employers a more practical starting point.
Lead with your OPT timeline upfront
Tell recruiters your OPT start date and expiration in your first message. Patient Registrar hiring cycles move quickly, and employers need to know whether your authorization window aligns with their onboarding timeline before investing time in interviews.
Highlight HIPAA training and EHR experience
Patient Registrar roles require handling protected health information. If you've completed HIPAA certification or worked with electronic health record systems like Epic or Cerner, lead with that. It directly addresses employer concerns about compliance readiness from day one.
Connect your degree field to the role explicitly
OPT must be directly related to your major. In your cover letter, draw a clear line from your health information, public health, or healthcare management coursework to the daily tasks of patient registration, insurance verification, and data entry.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship timing early
If you're targeting long-term employment, raise H-1B visa sponsorship in the second interview, not after an offer. Healthcare employers with large international workforces often have legal counsel experienced with sponsorship and appreciate candidates who plan proactively.
Use Migrate Mate to filter OPT-friendly employers
Not every Patient Registrar posting comes from an employer open to OPT candidates. Browse Migrate Mate to find roles filtered for visa-friendly hiring, saving time you'd otherwise spend screening employers who won't consider international students.
Patient Registrar OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Patient Registrar job qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree. If you studied health information management, healthcare administration, public health, or a related field, a Patient Registrar position typically qualifies. The key is demonstrating the connection between your coursework and the job duties, which include patient intake, insurance verification, and medical record entry.
Can I work as a Patient Registrar on STEM OPT extension?
STEM OPT applies only to degrees in STEM-designated fields. Health information management programs with a CIP code classified as STEM may qualify, but healthcare administration degrees often do not. Check your program's CIP code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list before assuming you're eligible for the 24-month extension.
How do I find Patient Registrar employers who hire OPT students?
Most general job postings don't indicate whether an employer supports OPT candidates. Migrate Mate filters Patient Registrar openings by visa-friendly employers, so you're not wasting applications on organizations unfamiliar with international student hiring. Academic medical centers and large regional health networks tend to have the most established OPT onboarding processes.
What documents do I need to start a Patient Registrar job on OPT?
You'll need your valid F-1 visa, a current I-20 with OPT authorization noted by your DSO, your EAD card showing the approved work start date, and your passport. Employers in healthcare settings often run background checks and may request additional identity verification before your first day due to HIPAA compliance requirements.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a Patient Registrar position?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during standard OPT, which extends to 150 days if you're on a STEM OPT extension. The clock starts from your OPT authorization date, not your layoff date. Report the job loss to your DSO immediately and begin your search quickly, as exceeding the unemployment limit terminates your OPT status.