OPT Technical Specialist Jobs
Technical Specialist roles sit squarely within OPT's specialty occupation framework, making them a strong fit for F-1 students with degrees in engineering, computer science, or information systems. Most positions qualify for STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience in a technically demanding, employer-sponsored role.
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Get Access To All JobsIt's more than a career, it's a calling
Worker Type:
Regular
Job Highlights:
Technical Specialist position offers a consistent Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an on-call requirement as part of the role. It’s an excellent opportunity for a skilled laboratory professional who enjoys both technical expertise and teaching.
The ideal candidate will have experience in immunohematology and a passion for sharing knowledge, as the ability to teach and mentor students and new staff members is required.
Job Summary:
Under the general direction, is responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the testing performed in the area of expertise.
Job Responsibilities and Requirements:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensures compliance of requirements in the technical component and practices mandated by regulatory and accrediting agencies including: (1) Verification of test procedures; (2) Enrollment in approved proficiency testing program; (3) Resolution of technical problems; (4) Accurate reporting and properly functioning systems; (5) Assists in the evaluation of individual competencies and ensures that individuals performing test procedures maintain competency; (6) Performs and manages quality control testing to monitor instrument operation by recognizing trends and follows quality control rules to initiate troubleshooting; (7) Updates policies and procedure manuals in areas of responsibility, participates in performance improvement activities, and monitors staff for compliance while reporting non-compliance to appropriate leader; (8) Participates in meetings with other peer lab sections in the region to enhance quality of testing and maintain standardization; (9) Performs routine and stat analysis as needed to provide accurate and timely results in a 24/7 laboratory operation; and (10) May perform special analysis and specimen processing as needed.
- Assists leadership on projects of medium to high complexity and size.
- Assists in the proficiency testing program in the lab.
- Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education
Associate's degree or equivalent years of experience and education
Experience
Three years' technical experience in a laboratory setting
Physical Requirements
- Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
- Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
- Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
- Frequent keyboard use/data entry.
- Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping.
- Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
- Rare climbing.
REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin
- Blood Bank Technologist (BB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Chemistry Technologist (C) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Technician - New York State Education Department
- Or
- Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Technician License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- Cytogenetics Technologist (CG) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Hematology Technologist (H) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Histotechnician (HT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Histotechnologist (HTL) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health
- Or
- Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Job Type:
Employee
Department:
3400000128 Blood Bank
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefits:
SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.
- Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
- Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
- Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.
Explore All Benefits
SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.
It's more than a career, it's a calling
Worker Type:
Regular
Job Highlights:
Technical Specialist position offers a consistent Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an on-call requirement as part of the role. It’s an excellent opportunity for a skilled laboratory professional who enjoys both technical expertise and teaching.
The ideal candidate will have experience in immunohematology and a passion for sharing knowledge, as the ability to teach and mentor students and new staff members is required.
Job Summary:
Under the general direction, is responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the testing performed in the area of expertise.
Job Responsibilities and Requirements:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensures compliance of requirements in the technical component and practices mandated by regulatory and accrediting agencies including: (1) Verification of test procedures; (2) Enrollment in approved proficiency testing program; (3) Resolution of technical problems; (4) Accurate reporting and properly functioning systems; (5) Assists in the evaluation of individual competencies and ensures that individuals performing test procedures maintain competency; (6) Performs and manages quality control testing to monitor instrument operation by recognizing trends and follows quality control rules to initiate troubleshooting; (7) Updates policies and procedure manuals in areas of responsibility, participates in performance improvement activities, and monitors staff for compliance while reporting non-compliance to appropriate leader; (8) Participates in meetings with other peer lab sections in the region to enhance quality of testing and maintain standardization; (9) Performs routine and stat analysis as needed to provide accurate and timely results in a 24/7 laboratory operation; and (10) May perform special analysis and specimen processing as needed.
- Assists leadership on projects of medium to high complexity and size.
- Assists in the proficiency testing program in the lab.
- Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education
Associate's degree or equivalent years of experience and education
Experience
Three years' technical experience in a laboratory setting
Physical Requirements
- Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
- Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
- Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
- Frequent keyboard use/data entry.
- Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping.
- Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
- Rare climbing.
REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin
- Blood Bank Technologist (BB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Chemistry Technologist (C) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Clinical Laboratory Technician - New York State Education Department
- Or
- Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS – Clinical Laboratory Technician License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- Or
- CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- Or
- Cytogenetics Technologist (CG) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Hematology Technologist (H) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Histotechnician (HT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Histotechnologist (HTL) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health
- Or
- Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician - California Department of Public Health
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Or
- Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Or
- Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Job Type:
Employee
Department:
3400000128 Blood Bank
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefits:
SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.
- Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
- Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
- Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.
Explore All Benefits
SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.
See all 436+ OPT Technical Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Technical Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Technical Specialist
Lead with your technical stack, not just your degree
Hiring managers for Technical Specialist roles scan for specific tools, platforms, and certifications before reading anything else. List your most relevant technical skills prominently at the top of your resume so they clear the screening stage before OPT status even comes up.
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT before you apply
Most Technical Specialist positions fall under CIP codes in engineering or computer science, but the match depends on your specific degree. Verify alignment with your DSO before accepting an offer so you can plan your STEM OPT extension timeline without surprises.
Address your OPT timeline proactively with employers
Bring up your OPT authorization and end date during the offer stage, not after. Employers who understand you have 12 to 36 months of work authorization are far more likely to plan around it than ones who discover it at the last moment.
Target employers with established technical teams
Companies with dedicated IT, engineering, or product infrastructure teams are more familiar with OPT authorization processes. Smaller firms hiring their first technical specialist may need extra time to understand the requirements, which can delay your start date.
Document how your role meets specialty occupation standards
Keep records of your job description, required qualifications, and how they connect to your degree field. If your employer later files for H-1B visa sponsorship, this documentation makes the specialty occupation argument significantly easier to support in the petition.
Build visibility through technical certifications and contributions
Vendor certifications from AWS, Microsoft, or Cisco signal competency that crosses borders and visa categories. Employers who might hesitate on OPT sponsorship often reconsider when a candidate brings credentials that reduce onboarding time and immediately fill a skills gap.
Technical Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Technical Specialist jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your degree is in a qualifying STEM field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or information systems, and the role itself requires that technical background. The match must be between your specific CIP code and the job duties, not just the job title. Confirm the alignment with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find Technical Specialist roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards don't filter by OPT sponsorship willingness, which means a lot of wasted applications. Migrate Mate surfaces Technical Specialist roles from employers who are actively open to hiring F-1 OPT students, so you can focus your energy on opportunities that are actually accessible rather than guessing from the job description.
What should I do if a Technical Specialist job posting says 'must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship'?
OPT is self-sponsored work authorization, meaning you don't require the employer to file a visa petition to hire you. You're already authorized. It's worth clarifying this distinction with the recruiter, as many employers use that language to screen out H-1B applicants and don't realize it also excludes eligible OPT candidates who need no employer action to start working.
Can I work as a Technical Specialist on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
Yes, OPT allows you to work in a role that is directly related to your major area of study, which USCIS interprets with some flexibility. A mechanical engineering degree supporting a hardware technical specialist role, for example, would generally qualify. The key is being able to demonstrate a clear and logical connection between your coursework and your job duties.
What happens to my OPT if I switch from one Technical Specialist job to another?
You can change employers on OPT as long as you continue working in a position related to your degree field. There's no petition required from the new employer. If you're on STEM OPT, your new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need to update your training plan with your DSO within 10 days of the change.