OPT Radiologic Technologist Jobs
Radiologic Technologist jobs on OPT are available at hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and diagnostic clinics across the U.S. Most roles require ARRT certification, which F-1 students can obtain before or during OPT. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so your 12-month window is the primary work authorization period.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Provides patient care to include taking x-rays in an office setting under the supervision of the medical provider. Meets the communication needs of the patient/family and medical provider. Maintains and follows regulatory requirements and policies and procedures. Communicates with medical providers and staff about the patient’s clinical condition.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
- Welcoming patients and visitors.
- Answering and referring inquiries within scope of practice.
- Telephone: Answers telephone, processes call, and documents appropriately within medical records. Returns all messages in a timely manner.
- Maintains communication between medical staff, administrative staff, and/or patient/families.
RADIOLOGY SERVICES:
- Assists patients in the correct position to complete x-ray as ordered by the provider.
- Follows safety protocols for radiologic studies.
- Maintains production and quality of radiographs by following established standards and procedures.
CLINICAL SERVICES:
- Maintains and updates medical records.
- Facilitates medical requests, to include but not limited to, refill requests, work/school notes, and form completion.
- Scans and uploads patient clinical documents into the medical chart.
- Processes and coordinates all medical provider orders to include but not limited to, diagnostic, referral, pharmaceutical, and surgical services.
- Reviews daily provider schedule and ensures all supplies and medical records are ready for patient and provider encounters.
- As directed by the medical provider and within scope of practice, provides patient education.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES:
- Contributes to the overall cleanliness and appearance of personal work space and department.
- Monitors supply levels in exam rooms and stock room and requests when needed.
- Maintains all radiology equipment. Evaluates all equipment for damage or maintenance needs and reports when needed.
SKILLS:
- Communication Excellence
- Knowledge and ability to work in accordance with accepted radiological and clinical standards
- Ability to work tactfully and effectively with patients, family members, other employees, and physicians.
- Strong customer service
- Quality Focus
EXPERIENCE/LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
- Minimum Education: Graduate of a medical assistant program
- Work Experience: Previous experience in medical practice is preferred
- Required License/Certification/Registration: Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Basic Life Support Certification
INTRODUCTION
Provides patient care to include taking x-rays in an office setting under the supervision of the medical provider. Meets the communication needs of the patient/family and medical provider. Maintains and follows regulatory requirements and policies and procedures. Communicates with medical providers and staff about the patient’s clinical condition.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
- Welcoming patients and visitors.
- Answering and referring inquiries within scope of practice.
- Telephone: Answers telephone, processes call, and documents appropriately within medical records. Returns all messages in a timely manner.
- Maintains communication between medical staff, administrative staff, and/or patient/families.
RADIOLOGY SERVICES:
- Assists patients in the correct position to complete x-ray as ordered by the provider.
- Follows safety protocols for radiologic studies.
- Maintains production and quality of radiographs by following established standards and procedures.
CLINICAL SERVICES:
- Maintains and updates medical records.
- Facilitates medical requests, to include but not limited to, refill requests, work/school notes, and form completion.
- Scans and uploads patient clinical documents into the medical chart.
- Processes and coordinates all medical provider orders to include but not limited to, diagnostic, referral, pharmaceutical, and surgical services.
- Reviews daily provider schedule and ensures all supplies and medical records are ready for patient and provider encounters.
- As directed by the medical provider and within scope of practice, provides patient education.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES:
- Contributes to the overall cleanliness and appearance of personal work space and department.
- Monitors supply levels in exam rooms and stock room and requests when needed.
- Maintains all radiology equipment. Evaluates all equipment for damage or maintenance needs and reports when needed.
SKILLS:
- Communication Excellence
- Knowledge and ability to work in accordance with accepted radiological and clinical standards
- Ability to work tactfully and effectively with patients, family members, other employees, and physicians.
- Strong customer service
- Quality Focus
EXPERIENCE/LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
- Minimum Education: Graduate of a medical assistant program
- Work Experience: Previous experience in medical practice is preferred
- Required License/Certification/Registration: Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Basic Life Support Certification
See all 473+ OPT Radiologic Technologist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Radiologic Technologist
Get ARRT certified before your OPT starts
Most hospitals won't hire a rad tech without ARRT certification, regardless of visa status. Passing the ARRT exam before your OPT authorization begins removes the biggest barrier employers cite when declining international candidates for clinical imaging roles.
Target hospital systems, not just standalone clinics
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers and regional health systems have dedicated HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Standalone clinics often lack the administrative capacity to navigate employment verification requirements for F-1 students on OPT.
Apply to high-volume imaging departments early
Radiology departments at busy trauma centers and cancer centers hire year-round due to consistent patient volume. These settings are more likely to sponsor H-1B visa or TN visas after OPT ends, making them the strongest long-term employment bet for international students.
Address your OPT timeline proactively with employers
Radiologic Technologist roles don't qualify for STEM OPT extension, so you have 12 months of work authorization. Tell employers upfront and frame your timeline clearly. Employers who understand the cap from the start are far less likely to rescind offers late in hiring.
Highlight modality-specific skills in your application
Employers hiring on OPT want immediate clinical value. Specifying your proficiency in CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, or interventional radiology reduces training time and makes you a more competitive hire, especially when an employer is weighing work authorization complexity against candidate readiness.
Research employers' H-1B filing history before applying
Some radiology employers have consistent H-1B sponsorship records while others never have. Prioritizing employers with documented H-1B or other visa sponsorship history gives your OPT a realistic path to continued work authorization beyond the initial 12-month period.
Radiologic Technologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Radiologic Technologist on OPT without ARRT certification?
In most cases, no. While OPT authorization itself doesn't require ARRT certification, virtually every hospital, imaging center, and outpatient clinic requires it as a condition of employment. A handful of states allow limited permits for new graduates, but employers in those states still strongly prefer ARRT-certified candidates. Passing the exam before your OPT start date removes the most common hiring obstacle for F-1 students.
Does Radiologic Technologist qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Radiologic Technology programs fall under CIP code 51.0911, which is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That means F-1 students in this field are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after OPT ends, you'll need an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B, TN, or another work visa before your authorization expires.
How do I find Radiologic Technologist employers who sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not sifting through postings from employers who won't hire international candidates. Beyond that, searching OFLC disclosure data for H-1B LCA filings by hospital systems in your target region shows which employers have a documented history of sponsoring foreign nationals in allied health roles.
What visa options are available after my Radiologic Technologist OPT ends?
The most common path is H-1B cap sponsorship, though radiology roles at cap-exempt employers like nonprofit hospitals and university medical centers allow filing year-round without entering the lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status under the USMCA for medical technologist roles. Some employers also use the EB-3 green card pathway for allied health workers facing persistent staffing shortages, though timelines vary significantly by country of birth.
Do state licensing requirements affect my ability to work on OPT as a rad tech?
Yes, and this is one of the most overlooked issues for F-1 students. About half of U.S. states require a separate state license in addition to ARRT certification. Some states issue temporary licenses while full applications are processed, which can help if your OPT start date is approaching. Research your target state's licensing board requirements early, as processing delays can push your actual start date weeks past your OPT authorization date.