OPT Quality Specialist Jobs
Quality Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in engineering, manufacturing, or life sciences. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers in regulated industries like medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace routinely hire OPT candidates for quality assurance and compliance work.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Purpose: Assist with the daily operations and support within the Quality Improvement department including data management, data reporting needs, and project management.
Key Details: Remote position; candidates must reside in Nevada or Arizona. Preferred qualifications include experience with Managed Care Organizations (MCO), Quality Management/Improvement, and HEDIS.
- Manage the HEDIS project to include assignment of nurses, adherence to plan timeline, and vendor oversight for timeliness and quality
- Assist in data collection, data entry and generation of reports in support of QI initiatives including but not limited to: access and availability studies, HEDIS abstraction forms, medical records/site reviews, member and physician satisfaction studies
- Analyze data and report writing for committee discussion
- Research and write items for provider newsletters and other educational pieces
- Conduct Interdepartmental inter-rater reliability audits
- Design, run, and manage the data review process to ensure accuracy and integrity of data reports to meet regulatory and operational requirements
- Implement process improvements to streamline departmental functions
- Assists Director, QI in preparation for audits by regulatory agencies and review organizations
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Complies with all policies and standards
Education/Experience: Associate’s degree in related field or equivalent experience. 4+ years of data management experience, with a health insurance organization, in a position with accountability for report generation management or project management. Working knowledge of MS Office applications. Experience in quality initiatives (including HEDIS project, study analysis, or NCQA standards) preferred.
Location: Must live in AZ or NV.
Pay Range: $56,200.00 - $101,000.00 per year
At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.
Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.
Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
Position Purpose: Assist with the daily operations and support within the Quality Improvement department including data management, data reporting needs, and project management.
Key Details: Remote position; candidates must reside in Nevada or Arizona. Preferred qualifications include experience with Managed Care Organizations (MCO), Quality Management/Improvement, and HEDIS.
- Manage the HEDIS project to include assignment of nurses, adherence to plan timeline, and vendor oversight for timeliness and quality
- Assist in data collection, data entry and generation of reports in support of QI initiatives including but not limited to: access and availability studies, HEDIS abstraction forms, medical records/site reviews, member and physician satisfaction studies
- Analyze data and report writing for committee discussion
- Research and write items for provider newsletters and other educational pieces
- Conduct Interdepartmental inter-rater reliability audits
- Design, run, and manage the data review process to ensure accuracy and integrity of data reports to meet regulatory and operational requirements
- Implement process improvements to streamline departmental functions
- Assists Director, QI in preparation for audits by regulatory agencies and review organizations
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Complies with all policies and standards
Education/Experience: Associate’s degree in related field or equivalent experience. 4+ years of data management experience, with a health insurance organization, in a position with accountability for report generation management or project management. Working knowledge of MS Office applications. Experience in quality initiatives (including HEDIS project, study analysis, or NCQA standards) preferred.
Location: Must live in AZ or NV.
Pay Range: $56,200.00 - $101,000.00 per year
At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.
Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.
Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.
See all 253+ OPT Quality Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Quality Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Specialist
Target STEM-designated programs
Quality Specialist roles in engineering and sciences typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree CIP code is STEM-eligible before applying so you can honestly communicate your full three-year authorization window to employers.
Lead with regulatory knowledge
Employers in FDA-regulated industries prioritize candidates who understand ISO 9001, GMP, or 21 CFR Part 820. Highlight any coursework, lab experience, or internships involving quality management systems, audits, or corrective action processes directly in your resume summary.
Address OPT proactively in applications
Hiring managers often hesitate because they misunderstand OPT. State clearly in your cover letter that OPT requires no employer sponsorship cost or petition during the authorization period, and that STEM extension gives them three years of work authorization.
Pursue quality certifications
A Certified Quality Improvement Associate or Six Sigma Green Belt certification signals serious commitment to the field. These credentials reduce employer hesitation about OPT candidates because they demonstrate measurable professional investment beyond your degree alone.
Focus on industries with high OPT hire rates
Medical devices, automotive, aerospace, and contract manufacturing firms consistently hire OPT students for quality roles. These industries operate under strict compliance requirements and value technically trained candidates, making them more comfortable navigating work authorization paperwork.
Quantify quality impact on your resume
Generic quality descriptions lose hiring managers fast. Cite specific outcomes: defect reduction percentages, audit pass rates, or process improvement results. Concrete metrics make your application competitive against domestic candidates and demonstrate real-world quality systems experience.
Quality Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Quality Specialist employers need to sponsor F-1 OPT students?
No. During your OPT period, you already have work authorization through USCIS. Your employer does not file any petition or pay any sponsorship fee. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign a training plan, but that is not the same as visa sponsorship. You can browse OPT-friendly Quality Specialist openings directly on Migrate Mate.
Does a Quality Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or biology. The job itself does not need to be classified as STEM, but it must be directly related to your degree program. Review your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to confirm STEM eligibility.
What degree backgrounds are most relevant for Quality Specialist OPT jobs?
Industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, and manufacturing technology are the most common degree backgrounds. Life sciences degrees are especially relevant for pharmaceutical and medical device quality roles. Employers in regulated industries expect your coursework to connect directly to quality management, statistics, or process control concepts.
How does the 90-day unemployment rule affect Quality Specialist job searches?
USCIS allows no more than 90 cumulative days of unemployment during standard OPT and an additional 60 days during STEM OPT extension. Quality Specialist roles can take time to secure because many positions require industry-specific experience. Start your search early, track your unemployment days carefully, and target regulated industries where hiring timelines tend to move faster.
Can I work for a staffing agency or contract firm as a Quality Specialist on OPT?
Yes, third-party placement is generally permitted on OPT as long as there is a bona fide employer-employee relationship and the work is related to your degree. For STEM OPT specifically, the end client site must also be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm with your DSO before accepting any contract arrangement to ensure your training plan meets USCIS requirements.