Plastic Surgeon Jobs for OPT Students
Plastic Surgeon roles on OPT require J-1 or H-1B sponsorship after your training period ends, and most hiring happens through residency-to-fellowship pipelines or academic medical centers. Your 12-month OPT window, or 36 months on STEM OPT if your program qualifies, determines how quickly you need to secure sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsPediatric Plastic Surgeon - Hand and Microvascular
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Position Details
Department: PCMG-MAIN | Plastic Surgery
Location: Phoenix
Shift: Mon-Fri, Days, 8am-5pm
Category: Physician/Div Chief/Med Dir
Posting #: 907085
Employee Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Posting Note: The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Phoenix Children’s is recruiting for a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon to join the Hand and Microvascular Program. We are seeking a plastic surgeon who subspecializes in hand surgery and is CAQ certified/eligible. This surgeon will be responsible for hand trauma call coverage. Microsurgery, including replantation and free tissue reconstruction, is required as well as participation in complex wound reconstruction. The Division of Plastic Surgery at Phoenix Children’s provides surgical treatment for the full spectrum of pediatric congenital and acquired conditions, and traumatic injuries. Plastic Surgery participates in several multi-disciplinary programs at Phoenix Children's. The Phoenix Children’s Plastic Surgery team is fellowship trained in Craniofacial Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, and Pediatric Hand Surgery. This is a growing program, and the team has a robust clinical practice. Phoenix Children's partners with and is involved in the academic and educational advancement and training of Mayo plastic surgery residents, University of Arizona orthopedic hand surgery fellows, and University of Arizona and Creighton University medical students. This position has a desire to build a robust clinical practice while being integrally involved in the academic and educational advancement of Phoenix Children's and training plastic surgery residents and medical students. A detailed job description is included in each Pediatric Plastic Surgeon's contract.
Position Duties
- See contract on file.
- See contract on file.
- Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission
To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families
Vision
Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education. We realize this vision by:
- Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
- Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
- Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
- Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families
Values
- We place children and families at the center of all we do
- We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
- We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
- We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
- We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable
Position Qualifications
Please review the following qualifications and specify whether you meet each of the requirements listed.
Physical Requirements & Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential
- Physical Requirement - Feeling (sensing textures and temperatures) - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Fine Motor Skills (pinching, gripping, etc) - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Hearing - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Pushing/pulling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Reaching - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Sitting - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Standing - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Stooping/crouching/kneeling/crawling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Talking - Constantly
- Physical Requirement - Tasting/smelling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Walking - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Near Vision - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Far Vision - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Color Discrimination - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Use of keyboard, mouse and/or computer equipment - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Lift up to 35 pounds without assistance - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Lift more than 35 pounds without assistance - Occasionally
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Inside office environment - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Airborne communicable diseases - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluid - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Fumes or airborne particles - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Hazardous materials exposure - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Radiation exposure - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Toxic or caustic chemicals - Applicable
I have reviewed the qualifications, physical requirements and occupational exposure/risk potential for this position and wish to apply. I Agree.
Pediatric Plastic Surgeon - Hand and Microvascular
Apply! Apply!
Position Details
Department: PCMG-MAIN | Plastic Surgery
Location: Phoenix
Shift: Mon-Fri, Days, 8am-5pm
Category: Physician/Div Chief/Med Dir
Posting #: 907085
Employee Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Posting Note: The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Phoenix Children’s is recruiting for a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon to join the Hand and Microvascular Program. We are seeking a plastic surgeon who subspecializes in hand surgery and is CAQ certified/eligible. This surgeon will be responsible for hand trauma call coverage. Microsurgery, including replantation and free tissue reconstruction, is required as well as participation in complex wound reconstruction. The Division of Plastic Surgery at Phoenix Children’s provides surgical treatment for the full spectrum of pediatric congenital and acquired conditions, and traumatic injuries. Plastic Surgery participates in several multi-disciplinary programs at Phoenix Children's. The Phoenix Children’s Plastic Surgery team is fellowship trained in Craniofacial Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, and Pediatric Hand Surgery. This is a growing program, and the team has a robust clinical practice. Phoenix Children's partners with and is involved in the academic and educational advancement and training of Mayo plastic surgery residents, University of Arizona orthopedic hand surgery fellows, and University of Arizona and Creighton University medical students. This position has a desire to build a robust clinical practice while being integrally involved in the academic and educational advancement of Phoenix Children's and training plastic surgery residents and medical students. A detailed job description is included in each Pediatric Plastic Surgeon's contract.
Position Duties
- See contract on file.
- See contract on file.
- Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission
To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families
Vision
Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education. We realize this vision by:
- Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
- Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
- Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
- Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families
Values
- We place children and families at the center of all we do
- We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
- We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
- We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
- We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable
Position Qualifications
Please review the following qualifications and specify whether you meet each of the requirements listed.
Physical Requirements & Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential
- Physical Requirement - Feeling (sensing textures and temperatures) - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Fine Motor Skills (pinching, gripping, etc) - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Hearing - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Pushing/pulling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Reaching - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Sitting - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Standing - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Stooping/crouching/kneeling/crawling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Talking - Constantly
- Physical Requirement - Tasting/smelling - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Walking - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Near Vision - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Far Vision - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Color Discrimination - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Use of keyboard, mouse and/or computer equipment - Frequently
- Physical Requirement - Lift up to 35 pounds without assistance - Occasionally
- Physical Requirement - Lift more than 35 pounds without assistance - Occasionally
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Inside office environment - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Airborne communicable diseases - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluid - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Fumes or airborne particles - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Hazardous materials exposure - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Radiation exposure - Applicable
- Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Toxic or caustic chemicals - Applicable
I have reviewed the qualifications, physical requirements and occupational exposure/risk potential for this position and wish to apply. I Agree.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Plastic Surgeon
Understand the J-1 waiver pathway
Many international medical graduates use J-1 visas during residency. If that applies to you, explore Conrad 30 waivers or VA waivers early, as the waiver process takes months and directly affects your post-training work authorization timeline.
Ask about cap-exempt H-1B eligibility
Hospitals affiliated with universities or nonprofit research institutions may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. This lets them file outside the annual lottery, giving you a faster and more reliable route to long-term status as a surgeon.
Get your credentials verified early
ECFMG certification, USMLE scores, and state medical board applications take time to process. Starting credential verification well before your OPT ends prevents delays that could interrupt your ability to legally practice while your visa petition is pending.
Negotiate sponsorship terms before signing
Before accepting any offer, confirm the employer will cover H-1B filing fees and has prior experience sponsoring foreign physicians. A verbal commitment is not enough. Ask for written confirmation of sponsorship as part of your employment agreement.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Plastic Surgeon on OPT without an employer sponsoring me?
You can work during your OPT period without employer sponsorship, but only until your OPT authorization expires. After that, you need an employer to sponsor an H-1B or other long-term visa. For plastic surgeons, most employers willing to sponsor are academic medical centers or large hospital systems. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers who sponsor OPT and visa holders, which saves significant research time.
Does a plastic surgery subspecialty fellowship count as OPT-authorized employment?
Yes, a paid fellowship in a plastic surgery subspecialty such as hand surgery, craniofacial, or microsurgery qualifies as OPT-authorized employment, provided it is directly related to your degree program. You must ensure your fellowship offer letter documents the relationship between the role and your medical training to stay compliant with USCIS requirements.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect plastic surgeons on OPT?
Plastic surgeons employed by private practices or for-profit health systems must go through the annual H-1B lottery, which has a roughly 20 to 25 percent selection rate. If you are not selected, your OPT status ends and you cannot continue working. Pursuing positions at cap-exempt employers, such as university hospitals or nonprofit research institutions, eliminates this uncertainty entirely.
What happens to my OPT if my plastic surgery residency program is accredited differently than my degree?
Your OPT authorization is tied to the degree you graduated with, not your residency program's accreditation. The key requirement is that your employment must be directly related to your degree field. A residency or fellowship in plastic surgery following a medical degree satisfies this. Confirm the connection is documented clearly in your employer letter and DSO records.
Is STEM OPT extension available for plastic surgery graduates?
STEM OPT extension is available only if your degree program appears on the Department of Homeland Security's designated STEM fields list. Most MD programs do not qualify, but some biomedical engineering or computational medicine degrees combined with surgical training may. Confirm with your DSO whether your specific program CIP code qualifies before planning your timeline around a 36-month extension.
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