OPT Pediatric Physician Assistant Jobs
Pediatric Physician Assistant jobs on OPT require employer sponsorship of an H-1B visa or O-1 visa before your work authorization expires. Clinical PA roles consistently qualify as specialty occupations, and many pediatric practices and children's hospitals have established OPT and visa sponsorship pathways for qualified candidates.
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INTRODUCTION
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.
LOCATION
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (Winfield)
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine seeks a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, on tenure-eligible Health System Clinician track, which provides opportunities for academic promotion, in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant. The position will be employed by the Lurie Children’s Medical Group (LCMG) and part of the Operating Unit of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant.
The Health System Clinician will join the existing division of 33 physician/physician-scientist faculty, 2 research faculty and 27 advanced practice providers across sections of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation. Responsibilities will include inpatient and outpatient clinical care, outreach clinics, and procedures. Health System Clinicians in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant at this site will also participate in research activities given the site’s affiliate status in the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
The candidate must also be licensed in the State of Illinois to practice without restriction. In addition, the candidate will be required to obtain medical staff membership and privileges at Lurie Children’s and any other required health care institution, complete credentialing by managed care organizations and complete certain Human Resources employment processes, including providing proof ability to lawfully work in the United States, a pre-employment background check, employee health screening, and receipt of satisfactory professional references if requested.
The start date is negotiable and the position will remain open until filled.
PAY RANGE
The expected base pay range for this position is $220,167 to $278,486.
Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.
BENEFITS
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits.
Lurie Children’s Medical Group offers a generous benefit packet to full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week that includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Employer paid group term life and disability
- Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
- 403(b): with a mandatory 5% contribution, 10% employer match
- Various voluntary benefits:
- Supplemental Life, AD and Disability
- Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
- Tuition assistance from Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Student loan servicing and support
- Adoption benefits
- Backup Childcare and Eldercare
- Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
- Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
- Discount purchasing program
K.S.A.'s:
- Doctorate in Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine with specialization in pediatrics.
- Valid licenses for State of Illinois.
- Board certification or board eligibility required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skill.
- Passion for pediatric care.
JOB DUTIES:
- Conduct regular thorough examinations on newborns and children to check and record their physical and mental development.
- Examine sick children to determine their condition and ask intuitive questions to gather information about symptoms.
- Reach an informed diagnosis based on scientific knowledge and individual medical history.
- Prescribe medications and give detailed instructions for administration.
- Diagnosis, treatment and screening of mental health illness in pediatric population.
- Prescribe and interpret appropriate lab tests to gain more information for possible infections or abnormalities.
- Consult with fellow pediatric partners and nurses on best practices.
- Examine and treat injuries; refer to physicians of other specialties when necessary (e.g. surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopedists etc.).
- Advise parents on children’s diet, exercise and disease preventive measures. Emphasis on early detection and prevention.
- Maintain updated records of patients’ illnesses, surgeries or other medical episodes (allergic shocks, injuries etc.).
- Advocate for patients, families, and fellow staff members.
- Keep abreast of advancements in pediatrics and best practices by attending seminars and conferences.
Education
MD/DO: Medicine (Required)
EEO STATEMENT
At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.
Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org
AI NOTICE
Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.
It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.
For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org
See all 233+ OPT Pediatric Physician Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Pediatric Physician Assistant
Target children's hospitals and academic medical centers
Large pediatric health systems and academic medical centers sponsor H-1B visas far more consistently than private practices. Focus your applications on institutions with established international hiring pipelines and dedicated HR teams experienced with work authorization.
Confirm your NCCPA certification timeline
Most pediatric PA employers require PANCE passage and active NCCPA certification before extending an offer. Plan your exam timeline so certification lands well before your OPT expires, giving employers confidence your credentials will be in place.
Ask about sponsorship before the final interview round
Raise the visa sponsorship question early, ideally after an initial screen confirms mutual interest. Asking too late wastes time if the employer has a firm no-sponsorship policy for their PA positions.
Highlight state licensure status on your resume
PA licensure requirements vary by state. Clearly listing your active license, any pending applications, and states where you hold reciprocity reduces employer uncertainty and removes a common objection to sponsoring international PA candidates.
Understand how your OPT end date affects the H-1B cap
If your OPT expires before the next H-1B cap season starts, discuss cap-gap coverage with your DSO immediately. Timing your job search around the October 1 start date can determine whether a sponsoring employer can keep you working continuously.
Leverage your pediatric clinical rotations as proof of specialty fit
USCIS scrutinizes PA petitions closely because the role spans multiple specialties. Documenting pediatric-specific rotations, certifications, and clinical hours strengthens the specialty occupation argument your employer's immigration attorney will need to make.
Pediatric Physician Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pediatric Physician Assistant jobs qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Physician Assistant roles, including those in pediatric settings, generally qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B standards because they require a master's-level PA degree and national certification. USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for PAs, though your employer must demonstrate the role requires that specific degree, not just any bachelor's credential.
Can I work as a Pediatric PA on OPT while waiting for H-1B approval?
Yes, provided your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT EAD expires. If your OPT ends during the cap-gap period between April 1 and October 1, you're covered to continue working as long as the petition was filed on time. Confirm your exact dates with your DSO and the employer's immigration counsel before assuming continuous work authorization.
Where can I find Pediatric Physician Assistant jobs that sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you're not sorting through postings that won't work for your situation. Beyond using Migrate Mate, focus on children's hospitals, university-affiliated health systems, and Federally Qualified Health Centers, which tend to have structured sponsorship processes compared to smaller private pediatric clinics.
Does STEM OPT apply to Pediatric Physician Assistant roles?
No. PA programs are typically classified under CIP code 51.0805, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. This means most Pediatric PA graduates are limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT without a STEM extension. Confirm your specific degree classification with your DSO, since program coding can vary by institution.
What documentation should I have ready when an employer agrees to sponsor my H-1B?
Have your NCCPA certification, active state PA license, official transcripts, PANCE scores, passport, I-20 history, and current EAD card ready before the attorney engagement begins. Pediatric-specific clinical documentation is also worth compiling early, since it supports the specialty occupation argument USCIS reviews during adjudication of PA petitions.