OPT Physician Assistant Jobs
Physician Assistant jobs on OPT require an employer willing to file an H-1B visa 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 JobsCareers With Purpose
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.
Facility: 7th Thayer Clinic
Location: Bismarck, ND
Address: 225 N 7th St, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA
Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts
Job Schedule: Full time
Weekly Hours: 40.00
Department Details
Come work with a fun and talented team of Orthopedic surgeon and APP's!
Job Summary
The Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions requiring surgical intervention. The NP works collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to evaluate, treat, and manage patients pre- and post-operatively, ensuring optimal functional recovery. Adheres to established internal standards and procedures abstracted from HIPAA.
Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
Builds a rapport with the patient and explains the condition and course of action effectively.
Coordination and management of care for patients, including those with complex needs.
Delivers written and oral communication, responds to questions and concerns, and produce specific outcomes and impact.
Demonstrates an ability to meet own responsibilities.
Develop treatment plans based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
Establishes and maintains productive working relationships within and outside of own area.
Helps promote collaboration across generations, functions, regions, and levels.
Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
Maintain departmental policies and procedures in areas such as safety and infection control.
Performs quality control and maintains a high standard in relation to infection control mechanisms for patient safety.
Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
Responsible for promoting a safe environment for patients, families, staff, residents, and visitors and working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary health care team to provide the best outcomes for patients.
This position also provides on-call coverage outside of regularly scheduled hours.
Qualifications
Completion of a master’s, postmaster’s, or doctorate from an accredited nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on the Collegiate of Nursing Education or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
If Licensing prior to August 1, 1995, master's degree in nursing is preferred.
Experience in orthopedic surgery, trauma, or musculoskeletal care preferred.
Current licensure as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in each state of practice.
Current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permit to prescribe controlled substances in each state of practice.
State Controlled Substance License (if required by State)
National board certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) or (ACNPC-AG), Acute Care Adult (ACNP-BC). Additional certifications require approval from a market executive leader: Family (FNP-BC) or (FNP–C), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP-BC) or (A-GNP), Adult (ANP-C)
Obtains and subsequently maintains required specific competencies and certifications as outlined on privilege form.
Privileging documents and related credentialing requirements will supersede this job description in defining minimum qualifications, criteria, and scope of practice, if variation between documents exists.
Benefits
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Practice Details:
Join a premier, multi-specialty group practice of 7 Physicians and 9 APPs
Large referral base of 300,000+ people across central/western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and northern South Dakota
Brand new Outpatient Surgery Center
Join one of the Midwest's largest rural healthcare networks
Compensation Package:
Sanford Health offers a nationally competitive compensation plan with an additional physician benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K plan, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, CME allowance, allowed time away, malpractice insurance and tail coverage, and a relocation allowance.
About this Community:
About Sanford Health Western North Dakota
With locations in Bismarck, Dickinson, Mandan, Minot and Watford City, the west region proudly serves an area that spans more than 83,000 square miles and stretches into three states. In Bismarck, the Sanford Medical Center is the region’s home for health care – and has a Level II Trauma and Stroke Center.
- 230+ Physicians and 170+ APPs
Life in Bismarck
As the capital city of North Dakota, Bismarck is truly one of a kind. The city offers picturesque landscapes and farmland, a fast-growing community of more than 130,000 and economic diversity. Centrally located in the state, Bismarck borders the east side of the Missouri River and has a neighborhood full of friendly people.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
Req Number: R-0259894
Job Function: Advanced Practice Provider
Featured: No
Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery
Visas Accepted: N/A
Careers With Purpose
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.
Facility: 7th Thayer Clinic
Location: Bismarck, ND
Address: 225 N 7th St, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA
Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts
Job Schedule: Full time
Weekly Hours: 40.00
Department Details
Come work with a fun and talented team of Orthopedic surgeon and APP's!
Job Summary
The Orthopedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions requiring surgical intervention. The NP works collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to evaluate, treat, and manage patients pre- and post-operatively, ensuring optimal functional recovery. Adheres to established internal standards and procedures abstracted from HIPAA.
Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
Builds a rapport with the patient and explains the condition and course of action effectively.
Coordination and management of care for patients, including those with complex needs.
Delivers written and oral communication, responds to questions and concerns, and produce specific outcomes and impact.
Demonstrates an ability to meet own responsibilities.
Develop treatment plans based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
Establishes and maintains productive working relationships within and outside of own area.
Helps promote collaboration across generations, functions, regions, and levels.
Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
Maintain departmental policies and procedures in areas such as safety and infection control.
Performs quality control and maintains a high standard in relation to infection control mechanisms for patient safety.
Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
Responsible for promoting a safe environment for patients, families, staff, residents, and visitors and working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary health care team to provide the best outcomes for patients.
This position also provides on-call coverage outside of regularly scheduled hours.
Qualifications
Completion of a master’s, postmaster’s, or doctorate from an accredited nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on the Collegiate of Nursing Education or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
If Licensing prior to August 1, 1995, master's degree in nursing is preferred.
Experience in orthopedic surgery, trauma, or musculoskeletal care preferred.
Current licensure as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in each state of practice.
Current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permit to prescribe controlled substances in each state of practice.
State Controlled Substance License (if required by State)
National board certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) or (ACNPC-AG), Acute Care Adult (ACNP-BC). Additional certifications require approval from a market executive leader: Family (FNP-BC) or (FNP–C), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP-BC) or (A-GNP), Adult (ANP-C)
Obtains and subsequently maintains required specific competencies and certifications as outlined on privilege form.
Privileging documents and related credentialing requirements will supersede this job description in defining minimum qualifications, criteria, and scope of practice, if variation between documents exists.
Benefits
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Practice Details:
Join a premier, multi-specialty group practice of 7 Physicians and 9 APPs
Large referral base of 300,000+ people across central/western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and northern South Dakota
Brand new Outpatient Surgery Center
Join one of the Midwest's largest rural healthcare networks
Compensation Package:
Sanford Health offers a nationally competitive compensation plan with an additional physician benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K plan, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, CME allowance, allowed time away, malpractice insurance and tail coverage, and a relocation allowance.
About this Community:
About Sanford Health Western North Dakota
With locations in Bismarck, Dickinson, Mandan, Minot and Watford City, the west region proudly serves an area that spans more than 83,000 square miles and stretches into three states. In Bismarck, the Sanford Medical Center is the region’s home for health care – and has a Level II Trauma and Stroke Center.
- 230+ Physicians and 170+ APPs
Life in Bismarck
As the capital city of North Dakota, Bismarck is truly one of a kind. The city offers picturesque landscapes and farmland, a fast-growing community of more than 130,000 and economic diversity. Centrally located in the state, Bismarck borders the east side of the Missouri River and has a neighborhood full of friendly people.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
Req Number: R-0259894
Job Function: Advanced Practice Provider
Featured: No
Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery
Visas Accepted: N/A
See all 2,266+ OPT Physician Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Physician Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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.
Physician Assistant OPT: Frequently 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.