Physician Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
Physician Assistant jobs on OPT require an employer willing to file an H-1B or sponsor long-term, since PA roles qualify as specialty occupations under USCIS rules. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your program qualifies, gives you time to find a sponsoring healthcare employer.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Emory Healthcare is where belonging meets purpose.
Emory Healthcare is looking for an experienced Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to join our Primary Care team in a corporate clinic setting. This position will be split between several corporate healthcare facilities and will have both an adult and pediatric focus.
Our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are an integral part of the Emory Healthcare integrated academic health care system. Some highlights of joining the Emory Healthcare team:
Highly competitive compensation package.
Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs.
Paid Parental Leave benefit available to all qualified employees.
Wellness incentives.
* Comprehensive health benefits that start Day 1.
DESCRIPTION
Job Description:
Assists in the evaluation and treatment of patients. Documents the delivery of care in the individual's medical records. Conducts patient interviews and documents patient histories, psychosocial histories, health status and medical problems or potential problems. Under the direction of a physician, performs physical examinations and specialized diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures including cast application and removal, wound suturing and dressing changes. Assists physician in diagnosing medical problems, developing care plans, and prescribing treatment. Orders, schedules and/or performs laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures such as urinalyses, pregnancy and blood tests, and x-rays. Communicates necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled procedures to patient. In collaboration with physician, arranges for consultations with or referrals to other medical professional or community services. Educates patient on health habits, self-examinations, behavior management, need for follow-up assessments/treatments, at home medical care, medication and other issues related to medical or health problems. Works with manager to formulate plan for professional development. Attends educational in-services as appropriate. Participates in professional activities and organizations to maintain knowledge of current trends, practices, and developments. Maintains and updates current, accurate patient records including medical assessment, interventions, and evaluations. Collects and interprets diagnostic data to implement appropriate care patient care plans. Prepares statistical reports and analyses of research projects and investigational protocols; reports on progress, adverse trends and appropriate conclusions and recommendations. Trains and teaches other health care professionals including students and residents in techniques and procedures unique to specific setting. Actively participates on organizational health services committees. Performs related responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program or Physician Assistant program.
Currently licensed as an advanced practice nurse in the state of Georgia by the Georgia Board of Nursing and certified as a Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or equivalent body, or Certified as a Physician's Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Licensed as appropriate in the state of Georgia.
May require at least one year of direct experience in one or more high acuity clinical specialties.
* PALS, BLS, or ACLS may be required in some areas.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Medium):
20-50 lbs; 0-33% of the work day (occasionally);
11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently);
01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly);
Lifting 50 lbs max;
Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs;
Occasional to frequent standing & walking,
Occasional sitting,
Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing),
* Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to:
Blood-borne pathogen exposure
Bio-hazardous waste
Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors
Communicable diseases
Electrical shock
Floor Surfaces
Hot/Cold Temperatures
Indoor/Outdoor conditions
Latex
Lighting
Patient care/handling injuries
Radiation
Shift work
Travel may be required.
* Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
INTRODUCTION
Emory Healthcare is where belonging meets purpose.
Emory Healthcare is looking for an experienced Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to join our Primary Care team in a corporate clinic setting. This position will be split between several corporate healthcare facilities and will have both an adult and pediatric focus.
Our Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are an integral part of the Emory Healthcare integrated academic health care system. Some highlights of joining the Emory Healthcare team:
Highly competitive compensation package.
Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs.
Paid Parental Leave benefit available to all qualified employees.
Wellness incentives.
* Comprehensive health benefits that start Day 1.
DESCRIPTION
Job Description:
Assists in the evaluation and treatment of patients. Documents the delivery of care in the individual's medical records. Conducts patient interviews and documents patient histories, psychosocial histories, health status and medical problems or potential problems. Under the direction of a physician, performs physical examinations and specialized diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures including cast application and removal, wound suturing and dressing changes. Assists physician in diagnosing medical problems, developing care plans, and prescribing treatment. Orders, schedules and/or performs laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures such as urinalyses, pregnancy and blood tests, and x-rays. Communicates necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled procedures to patient. In collaboration with physician, arranges for consultations with or referrals to other medical professional or community services. Educates patient on health habits, self-examinations, behavior management, need for follow-up assessments/treatments, at home medical care, medication and other issues related to medical or health problems. Works with manager to formulate plan for professional development. Attends educational in-services as appropriate. Participates in professional activities and organizations to maintain knowledge of current trends, practices, and developments. Maintains and updates current, accurate patient records including medical assessment, interventions, and evaluations. Collects and interprets diagnostic data to implement appropriate care patient care plans. Prepares statistical reports and analyses of research projects and investigational protocols; reports on progress, adverse trends and appropriate conclusions and recommendations. Trains and teaches other health care professionals including students and residents in techniques and procedures unique to specific setting. Actively participates on organizational health services committees. Performs related responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program or Physician Assistant program.
Currently licensed as an advanced practice nurse in the state of Georgia by the Georgia Board of Nursing and certified as a Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or equivalent body, or Certified as a Physician's Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Licensed as appropriate in the state of Georgia.
May require at least one year of direct experience in one or more high acuity clinical specialties.
* PALS, BLS, or ACLS may be required in some areas.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Medium):
20-50 lbs; 0-33% of the work day (occasionally);
11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently);
01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly);
Lifting 50 lbs max;
Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs;
Occasional to frequent standing & walking,
Occasional sitting,
Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing),
* Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to:
Blood-borne pathogen exposure
Bio-hazardous waste
Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors
Communicable diseases
Electrical shock
Floor Surfaces
Hot/Cold Temperatures
Indoor/Outdoor conditions
Latex
Lighting
Patient care/handling injuries
Radiation
Shift work
Travel may be required.
* Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Physician Assistant
Target hospital systems over private practices
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers have dedicated HR and legal teams experienced with H-1B sponsorship. Smaller private practices rarely have the infrastructure to navigate immigration filings, making them lower-probability targets for OPT students.
Confirm NCCPA certification eligibility early
Most PA employers require PANCE passage before hire. Confirm your graduation timeline aligns with your OPT start date so you can sit for the exam and begin authorized employment without gaps that could jeopardize your status.
Ask about sponsorship in the second interview, not the first
Raising H-1B sponsorship too early signals risk to hiring managers. Establish your clinical fit and value first. Once there is clear mutual interest, asking about immigration support lands much better with the decision-makers who control the offer.
Prioritize employers with existing H-1B filing history
Employers who have sponsored H-1B workers before understand the timeline and cost. Search DOL disclosure data to verify whether a hospital or health system has filed LCAs previously before investing significant time in their interview process.
Know your specialty's demand advantage
PA shortages in primary care, emergency medicine, and rural health create genuine leverage for international candidates. Emphasizing willingness to work in underserved or high-need settings can make sponsorship conversations easier with employers who struggle to fill those positions.
Get your OPT authorization documents organized before applying
Have your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization, and passport ready before submitting applications. Employers in regulated healthcare settings run compliance checks early, and delays in providing work authorization documentation can cost you an offer.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Physician Assistant jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Physician Assistant is a specialty occupation requiring at least a master's degree from an accredited PA program, which satisfies USCIS criteria for both OPT authorization and eventual H-1B sponsorship. Your EAD card authorizes you to work as a PA for any employer willing to hire you during your OPT period.
Do PA programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Most PA programs do not qualify for the STEM OPT extension because the Master of Physician Assistant Studies is not classified under a STEM-designated CIP code. You should confirm your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming a 24-month extension is available. Plan your H-1B timeline around a standard 12-month OPT window to avoid gaps.
How do I find PA employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so you can browse Physician Assistant roles filtered by employers with sponsorship history. Beyond that, reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data shows which hospital systems and health networks have filed H-1B petitions for PA roles in recent years.
Can I start working as a PA before my PANCE results arrive?
Most states require licensure before independent PA practice, and PANCE results typically take one to two weeks after your exam date. Some employers offer a supervised provisional period while awaiting results, but this varies by state and employer policy. Confirm your state's licensing board rules and your employer's internal compliance requirements before your start date.
What happens to my OPT status if my PA job ends before I find a new employer?
F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your authorization period. If you lose your PA position, you have 90 days to secure new employment in a role directly related to your degree before your status is at risk. Report any employer changes to your DSO immediately and document your job search to maintain compliance throughout the gap.
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