OPT Rheumatologist Jobs

Rheumatologist roles qualify for OPT and STEM OPT extension if your degree is in medicine or a related STEM field. Most positions are employer-sponsored through academic medical centers or hospital systems, giving F-1 graduates a realistic path to H-1B visa cap-exempt sponsorship through teaching hospitals.

See All OPT Rheumatologist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs12+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$287K
Top LocationVentura, CA
Most JobsClinicas del Camino Real, Inc.

Showing 5 of 12+ Rheumatologist jobs

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Rheumatologist
We won't show you this job again
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Added 1mo ago
Rheumatologist
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee
Nursing
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Indiana University Health
Rheumatologist
We won't show you this job again
Indiana University Health
Added 3mo ago
Rheumatologist
Indiana University Health
Bloomington, Indiana
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
MercyOne
Rheumatologist
We won't show you this job again
MercyOne
Added 3mo ago
Rheumatologist
MercyOne
Mason City, Iowa
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
$330,000/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.
Rheumatologist
We won't show you this job again
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.
Added 3mo ago
Rheumatologist
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.
Ventura, California
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$290,000/yr - $325,000/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
St. Mary's Healthcare
Rheumatologist
We won't show you this job again
St. Mary's Healthcare
Added 5mo ago
Rheumatologist
St. Mary's Healthcare
Amsterdam, New York
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$214,910/yr - $311,402/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all Rheumatologist Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Rheumatologist roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all OPT Rheumatologist Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Rheumatologist Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Rheumatologist

Target academic medical centers first

Teaching hospitals and university-affiliated health systems are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, meaning they can sponsor you year-round without lottery risk. These institutions hire rheumatology fellows and attending physicians regularly and have established immigration support infrastructure.

Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility early

If your medical or graduate degree is classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree classification with your DSO before accepting a position to avoid authorization gaps.

Secure your EAD before your fellowship ends

OPT applications take up to 90 days to process. Apply as early as 90 days before your program end date so your Employment Authorization Document arrives before you start your attending or fellowship position. Gaps in authorization can jeopardize employment.

Ask about H-1B sponsorship timelines during interviews

Rheumatology positions at cap-exempt institutions can file H-1B petitions at any time. At cap-subject employers, timing matters. Raise the sponsorship question before accepting an offer to understand the employer's process and your timeline.

Document all clinical training and research contributions

Strong H-1B and O-1 visa petitions rely on detailed evidence of specialty work. Keep records of publications, grant involvement, case complexity, and teaching roles throughout your fellowship. This documentation directly supports future visa petitions filed on your behalf.

Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly rheumatology roles

Not every rheumatology opening is posted with sponsorship intent stated clearly. Browse Migrate Mate to surface positions at employers with a verified history of sponsoring international physicians, saving time you would otherwise spend researching each institution individually.

Rheumatologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a rheumatologist on OPT?

Yes, if you have a qualifying U.S. degree, such as an MD, DO, or a graduate degree in a biomedical or clinical science field, and your job is directly related to that degree. Most rheumatology attending and fellowship positions satisfy the OPT work authorization requirement because the role must match your field of study.

Do rheumatology employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?

Academic medical centers, university hospitals, and nonprofit health systems sponsor H-1B visas regularly for rheumatologists. Many of these institutions qualify as cap-exempt employers under the H-1B rules, which means they can file at any time of year and are not subject to the annual lottery. Private practices are less consistent in offering sponsorship.

How does STEM OPT extension apply to a rheumatology career path?

STEM OPT applies based on your degree's CIP code, not your job title. If your qualifying degree, such as a research-focused MD, PhD in immunology, or an MS in biomedical sciences, is listed under a STEM-designated code, you may be eligible for an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.

Where should I look for rheumatologist jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find rheumatologist openings at employers with a track record of sponsoring international physicians. Filtering by sponsorship history saves significant time compared to researching each hospital or health system individually to determine whether they support OPT and H-1B candidates.

What happens to my OPT status if my rheumatology fellowship ends before my next job starts?

F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during the authorization period. If there is a gap between your fellowship and your first attending position, that gap counts against your unemployment limit. Planning your OPT application timing carefully and keeping your DSO informed helps you stay in status during any transition between roles.