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 JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Rheumatologist jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
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
If you are looking to make an impact on a meaningful scale, come join us as we embrace the Power of One!
We strive to be an employer of choice and establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where Associates can grow their career caring for others. For over a century, we’ve served the health care needs of the people of Memphis and the Mid-South.
The Physician is responsible for working with the nursing staff and physicians to provide comprehensive medical services and ensure the safety and quality of clinical care in the physician practice and Methodist LeBonheur Hospitals. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.
Working at MLH means carrying the mission forward of caring for our community and impacting the lives of patients in every way through compassion, a deliberate focus on service expectations and a consistent thriving for excellence.
A Brief Overview
The Physician is responsible for working with the nursing staff and physicians to provide comprehensive medical services and ensure the safety and quality of clinical care in the physician practice and Methodist LeBonheur Hospitals. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.
What you will do
- Provides and manages direct patient care, including physical examinations, evaluations and assessments using best practices to diagnose and treat patients.
- Prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed medical conditions.
- Refers patients to specialists and to relevant patient care components as appropriate.
- Evaluates patient for need for and level of prescription medicines required and considers alternative techniques for patient care.
- Manages the daily operations of a specific medical program, patient care unit, or research function.
- Directs and coordinates the patient care activities of nursing and support staff as required.
- Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
- Participates in specified health promotion, education and/or prevention programs.
- Explains procedures and discusses test results or prescribed treatments with patients and their families as needed.
- Orders, performs, and interprets tests, and analyzes records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients’ condition.
- Maintains accurate and timely completion of all documentation within 3 days of visit or discharge.
- Coordinates work with nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health care providers.
- Supports call coverage for the practice and hospitals.
- Maintains productivity at acceptable levels.
- Focuses on high patient and family satisfaction and retention.
- Develops strong partnership with fellow physicians and support staff.
Education/Formal Training Requirements
- Required - MD/DO Medicine
Work Experience Requirements
- Required - No prior work experience
Licenses and Certifications Requirements
- Required - Medical Doctor - Tennessee - Tennessee State Board of Medical Examiners
- Required - AOA Board Certified Physician-Specialty - American Osteopathic Association
- Preferred - Medical Doctor - Mississippi - Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
- Preferred - Medical Doctor - Arkansas - Arkansas State Medical Board
- Preferred - Osteopathic Physician Tennessee - Tennessee Board of Osteophathic Examination
- Preferred - National Board Certified Physician - The National Board of Physicians and Surgeons
- Preferred - Board Certified Physician - American Board of Medical Specialties
- Preferred - Board Certified DO - National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for the delivery of medical care.
- Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Knowledge of community medical diagnostic and patient care services in area of medical expertise.
- Ability to supervise, advise, and train clinical professionals and/or students in areas of expertise.
- Knowledge of current principles, methods and procedures for the delivery of medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in area of expertise.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
- Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
- Knowledge of relevant drugs and non-pharmaceutical patient care aids and ability to prescribe dosages and instruct patients in correct usage.
Supervision Provided by this Position
- Administrator, nurse practitioner, and support staff
Physical Demands
- Must be physically and mentally able, with or without reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position without endangering the health and safety of self and others.
- The physical activities of this position may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
- Must have good balance and coordination.
- The physical requirements of this position are: medium work - exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 25 lbs. of force frequently.
- The Associate is required to have close visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision to perform an activity, such as assessing patients, preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading.
- Frequent invasive and non-invasive patient contact.
- Exposure to patient body fluids as well as exposure to hazardous or poisonous materials.
- Ability to react quickly to emergency situations.
Our Associates are passionate about what they do, the service they provide and the patients they serve. We value family, team and a Power of One culture that requires commitment to the highest standards of care and unity.
Boasting one of the South's largest medical centers, Memphis blends a friendly community, a thriving and growing downtown, and a low cost of living. We see each day as a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.
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 JobsTips 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.