Pulmonologist Jobs for OPT Students
Pulmonologist jobs on OPT require STEM-designated program enrollment to qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of authorized training. Most roles are hospital-based and require active medical licensure, making early ECFMG certification and residency completion critical before your OPT clock starts.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Provide a full spectrum of treatment options to help patients suffering from pulmonary issues such as chronic cough, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea; Provide high-level care to patients suffering from acute, life-threatening lung conditions and provide services including bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, bronchial thermoplasty, and pulmonary function tests (“PFT”); Focus on sleep disorders and the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs and related organs and provide life-saving care for patients with severe respiratory issues; Work alongside other critical care providers to perform resuscitation and other procedures in the ICU or pulmonary clinics; Stabilize patients suffering from respiratory failure, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), asthma, and chronic bronchitis; and provide other services as required by the department.
Job Requirements
The minimum requirements for the Position Offered are a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or foreign equivalent. Must have completed a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and a fellowship in Sleep Medicine. Must be Board Certified/Board Eligible in the following: Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine. Must have a Missouri medical license by the time of appointment.
Applicable Experience:
- Less than 1 year
Doctorate Degree
JOB DETAILS
Full Time
Day (United States of America)
The best place to get care. The best place to give care. Saint Luke’s 12,000 employees strive toward that vision every day. Our employees are proud to work for the only faith-based, nonprofit, locally owned health system in Kansas City. Joining Saint Luke’s means joining a team of exceptional professionals who strive for excellence in patient care. Do the best work of your career within a highly diverse and inclusive workspace where all voices matter.
Join the Kansas City region's premiere provider of health services. Equal Opportunity Employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Provide a full spectrum of treatment options to help patients suffering from pulmonary issues such as chronic cough, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea; Provide high-level care to patients suffering from acute, life-threatening lung conditions and provide services including bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, bronchial thermoplasty, and pulmonary function tests (“PFT”); Focus on sleep disorders and the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs and related organs and provide life-saving care for patients with severe respiratory issues; Work alongside other critical care providers to perform resuscitation and other procedures in the ICU or pulmonary clinics; Stabilize patients suffering from respiratory failure, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), asthma, and chronic bronchitis; and provide other services as required by the department.
Job Requirements
The minimum requirements for the Position Offered are a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or foreign equivalent. Must have completed a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and a fellowship in Sleep Medicine. Must be Board Certified/Board Eligible in the following: Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine. Must have a Missouri medical license by the time of appointment.
Applicable Experience:
- Less than 1 year
Doctorate Degree
JOB DETAILS
Full Time
Day (United States of America)
The best place to get care. The best place to give care. Saint Luke’s 12,000 employees strive toward that vision every day. Our employees are proud to work for the only faith-based, nonprofit, locally owned health system in Kansas City. Joining Saint Luke’s means joining a team of exceptional professionals who strive for excellence in patient care. Do the best work of your career within a highly diverse and inclusive workspace where all voices matter.
Join the Kansas City region's premiere provider of health services. Equal Opportunity Employer.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Pulmonologist
Confirm your program's STEM classification
Pulmonology fellowships tied to biomedical sciences or clinical research often qualify for STEM OPT extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before accepting a position, as the classification determines whether you get 12 or 36 months of OPT.
Secure ECFMG certification before OPT begins
Most U.S. hospitals require active ECFMG certification for international medical graduates. Without it, your OPT authorization won't help you start work. Begin the certification process during residency, well before your program end date approaches.
Target academic medical centers first
Academic hospitals and university health systems are more experienced with OPT paperwork and H-1B sponsorship pipelines. They hire pulmonology fellows regularly and often have dedicated HR staff who understand work authorization requirements for international medical graduates.
Time your OPT application around fellowship graduation
OPT must be applied for within a specific window relative to your program end date. Work with your DSO at least 90 days before your fellowship ends to file on time and avoid any gap between graduation and authorized employment start.
Document all clinical and research duties carefully
For STEM OPT extensions, your training plan must reflect work directly tied to your degree field. Keep detailed records of research involvement, clinical trial participation, and any academic responsibilities that demonstrate a direct connection to your STEM-designated program.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as pulmonologists in the United States?
Yes, but only if you hold a valid EAD and meet all state medical licensure requirements. Most states require ECFMG certification, USMLE completion, and an active fellowship or attending position at an accredited institution. Your OPT work authorization must be active before your first day of clinical work.
Does pulmonology qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree program's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your fellowship or graduate program is classified under a qualifying STEM category such as biomedical sciences or clinical research, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm with your DSO and check your I-20 program classification before assuming eligibility.
How do I find pulmonologist roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, making it far more efficient than searching general job boards. You can browse pulmonology and physician roles where employers have indicated openness to candidates on OPT or those requiring H-1B sponsorship shortly after.
What happens if my OPT expires before I complete my pulmonology fellowship?
If your OPT EAD expires mid-fellowship, you lose work authorization and must stop working immediately. The most common solution is your employer filing an H-1B petition under cap-exempt status, which hospitals affiliated with universities or nonprofit research organizations can often do. Start the H-1B conversation with your program director at least six months before your EAD expires.
Do pulmonology employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Academic medical centers and large hospital systems have historically been strong H-1B sponsors for physicians. Pulmonologists are in high demand, particularly in critical care and sleep medicine subspecialties, which strengthens your negotiating position. Confirm sponsorship intent before signing any employment agreement, and request it in writing as part of your offer.
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