OPT Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs
Quality Assurance Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students in STEM fields like computer science, engineering, and information systems. Most QA positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of U.S. work authorization to build a career in software testing, quality engineering, or process improvement.
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Get Access To All JobsWHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under general supervision to produce daily quality assessment and quality assurance reports and information, including but not limited to, areas of licensure and accreditation from federal agencies and peer review organizations. Assists in the review and reporting of all adverse occurrences, which may be either patient, donor, recipient, or employee related. Collects, maintains, and organizes all relevant data that documents function and status of quality management processes or programs.
The Quality Assurance Specialist supports the development, organization, and evaluation of quality management initiatives by collaborating with administrative and technical teams to define measurable goals and performance standards. Identifies, reviews, and escalates adverse events, compliance concerns, and operational risks to leadership and appropriate institutional offices. Provides day-to-day functional oversight to administrative and technical staff to ensure alignment with regulatory and quality expectations. Analyzes data trends, prepares outcome assessments, and develops performance metrics to support continuous improvement. Coordinates data collection, leads review processes, and produces reports to inform decision-making. Recommends solutions to address gaps and coordinates staff education and training initiatives. Manages sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality and performs other duties as assigned.
The Quality Assurance Specialist serves as the operational lead for the Cooperative Group Monitoring Initiative, developing monitoring frameworks, coordinating reviews, and ensuring adherence to sponsor and federal requirements across trials.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Associate's Degree or equivalent in health science discipline or
Experience
3 years of clinical experience with at least 2 years in quality assurance, infection control, or risk management. May consider additional years of related experience in lieu of education.
JOB DUTIES
- Assists administrative and technical personnel in developing, organizing, and evaluating quality management program goals and objectives.
- Identifies and investigates with defined parameters; documents and reports all adverse occurrences and potential problems in conjunction with Quality Assurance Coordinator, Director and/or Medical Director.
- Submits data trends and outcome assessments; assists in developing new measures as appropriate.
- Organizes data gathering and prepares data reports.
- Handles sensitive issues and medical/social information in professional and confidential manner from liability standpoint.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
JOB SUMMARY
Works under general supervision to produce daily quality assessment and quality assurance reports and information, including but not limited to, areas of licensure and accreditation from federal agencies and peer review organizations. Assists in the review and reporting of all adverse occurrences, which may be either patient, donor, recipient, or employee related. Collects, maintains, and organizes all relevant data that documents function and status of quality management processes or programs.
The Quality Assurance Specialist supports the development, organization, and evaluation of quality management initiatives by collaborating with administrative and technical teams to define measurable goals and performance standards. Identifies, reviews, and escalates adverse events, compliance concerns, and operational risks to leadership and appropriate institutional offices. Provides day-to-day functional oversight to administrative and technical staff to ensure alignment with regulatory and quality expectations. Analyzes data trends, prepares outcome assessments, and develops performance metrics to support continuous improvement. Coordinates data collection, leads review processes, and produces reports to inform decision-making. Recommends solutions to address gaps and coordinates staff education and training initiatives. Manages sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality and performs other duties as assigned.
The Quality Assurance Specialist serves as the operational lead for the Cooperative Group Monitoring Initiative, developing monitoring frameworks, coordinating reviews, and ensuring adherence to sponsor and federal requirements across trials.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Associate's Degree or equivalent in health science discipline or
Experience
3 years of clinical experience with at least 2 years in quality assurance, infection control, or risk management. May consider additional years of related experience in lieu of education.
JOB DUTIES
- Assists administrative and technical personnel in developing, organizing, and evaluating quality management program goals and objectives.
- Identifies and investigates with defined parameters; documents and reports all adverse occurrences and potential problems in conjunction with Quality Assurance Coordinator, Director and/or Medical Director.
- Submits data trends and outcome assessments; assists in developing new measures as appropriate.
- Organizes data gathering and prepares data reports.
- Handles sensitive issues and medical/social information in professional and confidential manner from liability standpoint.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 173+ OPT Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Assurance Specialist
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Mention your STEM OPT authorization upfront in your resume summary and cover letter. Employers in tech and manufacturing are familiar with the 24-month extension, and framing it as three years of runway removes a common objection before the conversation starts.
Target industries with high QA demand
Software, medical devices, automotive, and aerospace companies hire QA Specialists at volume. These industries have established immigration compliance programs and are more likely to support OPT students through the authorization period and into H-1B visa sponsorship down the line.
Get specific about your testing toolkit
Employers screen QA candidates on tools first. Highlight experience with Selenium, JIRA, TestRail, Postman, or SQL on your resume. Specificity signals job readiness and shortens the evaluation process, which matters when hiring managers are weighing OPT timelines.
Frame quality metrics as business impact
QA work is easy to undersell. Quantify your contributions: defect rates reduced, test coverage increased, release cycles shortened. Employers evaluating OPT candidates want evidence that you add measurable value, not just that you can follow a testing protocol.
Address your OPT end date honestly and early
If an employer asks about your work authorization timeline, be straightforward. Explain your current OPT period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and that you're actively building toward long-term sponsorship. Clarity early prevents misaligned expectations later in the process.
Prioritize companies with active I-129 filing histories
Companies that have sponsored H-1B petitions in QA or engineering roles are more likely to do it again. Researching employer sponsorship history before applying lets you focus your effort on realistic opportunities rather than roles that have never supported visa sponsorship.
Quality Assurance Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Quality Assurance Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Quality Assurance Specialist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in an eligible field such as computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related STEM discipline. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. If both conditions are met, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing H-1B or another status.
What do employers need to know about hiring a QA Specialist on OPT?
Employers don't need to file any visa petition to hire you on OPT. Your work authorization comes from your EAD card, which you manage through your university's DSO. The employer's main obligations are to confirm the role relates to your degree field and, if you're on STEM OPT, to register with E-Verify and provide a formal training plan. Most mid-size and large companies already meet these requirements.
Can I work as a QA Specialist contractor or on a contract-to-hire basis on OPT?
Yes, contract and contract-to-hire arrangements are generally permitted on OPT, provided you have a clear employer-employee relationship and the work relates to your degree. Staffing agency placements can work, but you must have a bona fide offer and cannot be self-employed. Confirm the arrangement with your DSO before accepting, since STEM OPT has additional reporting requirements that affect how contract work is documented.
Where can I find Quality Assurance Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches. You can filter for Quality Assurance Specialist roles by job title, industry, and visa sponsorship status, so you're only seeing employers who are open to your work authorization situation. General job boards don't filter this way, which means a lot of wasted applications on roles that won't move forward with OPT candidates.
What happens to my QA job if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you're subject to the cap, you may be protected by cap-gap, which automatically extends your OPT status through September 30 of that year. During cap-gap, you can continue working for the same employer in the same role. If you're not selected in the lottery or your employer doesn't file in time, your authorization ends when your OPT expires and you'd need to stop working.