Healthcare OPT Jobs in North Dakota
Healthcare F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in North Dakota are concentrated around major health systems like Sanford Health and Essentia Health, with Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks serving as the primary hiring hubs. The state's rural healthcare shortage drives steady demand for clinical, research, and allied health roles, making North Dakota a practical option for international students on OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsBuilding Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Join a surgical team that’s growing, innovating, and shaping the future of patient care in the region. Essentia Health Fargo is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist who is passionate about excellence in the operating room and thrives in a collaborative, high performance environment. This CST works four 10-hour shifts weekly, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
About Essentia Health:
We are a top-rated employer offering work-life balance, long term career stability, opportunities for growth, and work you can be passionate about! Our mission guides us every day: We are called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. This calling resonates deeply for our caregivers and our colleagues working behind the scenes, who all bring high-quality, compassionate care to the patients we are privileged to serve. We are like nowhere else: https://vimeo.com/284233541
What You'll Do:
Functions under the supervision of an RN in providing technical interventions in the Operating Room to patients of all ages. They are also responsible for tasks relating to instrumentation, equipment, prosthesis, and supplies. May perform other duties as assigned by the department.
As a CST at Essentia Health Fargo, you will play a critical role in supporting surgeons, nurses, and the entire perioperative team. You’ll work with advanced technology, diverse specialties, and a culture that values teamwork, continuous learning, and professional growth. Key responsibilities include:
Prepare operating rooms, instruments, and equipment for surgical procedures
Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain sterile technique throughout procedures
Collaborate closely with RNs, anesthesia, and surgical providers
Support a wide range of specialties, including general, plastics, ortho, neuro, ENT, Urology, OB/GYN, and more
Contribute to quality, safety, and process improvement initiatives
Participate in ongoing education and skill development opportunities
What We’re Looking For
A candidate who meets the listed education & certification requirements
Strong communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills
Commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic surgical environment
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Opportunities for advancement, specialty training, and cross-training
Supportive leadership and a culture that invests in your growth
Access to cutting-edge surgical technology and expanding service lines
A mission-driven organization focused on making a healthy difference in people’s lives
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances - critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join a team where your expertise matters, your growth is supported, and your work changes lives every day.
Apply now and build your future with Essentia Health Fargo.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Certification as a surgical technologist within one year of hire.
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) with the North Dakota Board of Nursing upon hire.
* AHA Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification within 1 month of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
On-call
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$28.40 - $42.60
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Building Location:
32nd Avenue Building
Department:
3013400 SURGERY - 32ND HOSP
Job Description:
Join a surgical team that’s growing, innovating, and shaping the future of patient care in the region. Essentia Health Fargo is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist who is passionate about excellence in the operating room and thrives in a collaborative, high performance environment. This CST works four 10-hour shifts weekly, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. Weekday, weekend, and holiday call rotations are required. A $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are available.
Education Qualifications:
* Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program.
About Essentia Health:
We are a top-rated employer offering work-life balance, long term career stability, opportunities for growth, and work you can be passionate about! Our mission guides us every day: We are called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. This calling resonates deeply for our caregivers and our colleagues working behind the scenes, who all bring high-quality, compassionate care to the patients we are privileged to serve. We are like nowhere else: https://vimeo.com/284233541
What You'll Do:
Functions under the supervision of an RN in providing technical interventions in the Operating Room to patients of all ages. They are also responsible for tasks relating to instrumentation, equipment, prosthesis, and supplies. May perform other duties as assigned by the department.
As a CST at Essentia Health Fargo, you will play a critical role in supporting surgeons, nurses, and the entire perioperative team. You’ll work with advanced technology, diverse specialties, and a culture that values teamwork, continuous learning, and professional growth. Key responsibilities include:
Prepare operating rooms, instruments, and equipment for surgical procedures
Anticipate surgeon needs and maintain sterile technique throughout procedures
Collaborate closely with RNs, anesthesia, and surgical providers
Support a wide range of specialties, including general, plastics, ortho, neuro, ENT, Urology, OB/GYN, and more
Contribute to quality, safety, and process improvement initiatives
Participate in ongoing education and skill development opportunities
What We’re Looking For
A candidate who meets the listed education & certification requirements
Strong communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills
Commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic surgical environment
Why Choose Essentia Health Fargo?
Opportunities for advancement, specialty training, and cross-training
Supportive leadership and a culture that invests in your growth
Access to cutting-edge surgical technology and expanding service lines
A mission-driven organization focused on making a healthy difference in people’s lives
Employees scheduled 24+ hours weekly enjoy these benefits:
Health Insurance and HSA or FSA accounts
Dental and Vision insurances
Supplemental insurances - critical illness, accident, & hospital indemnity
Paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
PTO accrual and 7 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave after one year
Adoption assistance after one year
Bereavement & Jury Duty (all regularly scheduled employees)
All employees, including casual, enjoy these benefits:
Take Charge (employee wellness program)
Guidance Resources (free confidential counseling)
Employee discount program
401(k) retirement account (traditional & Roth)
* 401(k) matching & discretionary contributions (subject to service requirements)
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join a team where your expertise matters, your growth is supported, and your work changes lives every day.
Apply now and build your future with Essentia Health Fargo.
Licensure/Certification Qualifications:
Certification as a surgical technologist within one year of hire.
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) with the North Dakota Board of Nursing upon hire.
* AHA Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification within 1 month of hire.
FTE:
1
Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
Shift Rotation:
Day Rotation (United States of America)
Shift Start Time:
6:30 am
Shift End Time:
5:00 pm
Weekends:
On-call
Holidays:
Yes
Call Obligation:
Yes
Union:
Compensation Range:
$28.40 - $42.60
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
OPT Healthcare Job Roles in North Dakota
See all 315+ Healthcare OPT Jobs in North Dakota
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Search Healthcare Jobs in North DakotaHealthcare OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which healthcare companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in North Dakota?
Sanford Health, headquartered in Fargo, is the largest healthcare employer in the state and has a documented history of hiring international candidates in clinical and research roles. Essentia Health operates extensively in the Fargo-Moorhead region and also recruits OPT candidates. Smaller regional systems like CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck and critical access hospitals in rural areas occasionally sponsor OPT workers, particularly in hard-to-fill positions.
Which cities in North Dakota have the most healthcare F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Fargo is North Dakota's largest city and home to Sanford Health's headquarters, making it the most active market for healthcare OPT roles. Bismarck, the state capital, has CHI St. Alexius Health and several specialty clinics. Grand Forks supports healthcare hiring through Altru Health System and its proximity to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, which generates demand for research and clinical support positions.
What types of healthcare roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in North Dakota?
Roles that align directly with a STEM or health sciences degree tend to qualify most reliably. These include medical laboratory scientists, clinical research coordinators, health informatics analysts, radiology technologists, physical therapists, and public health specialists. Positions requiring a specific degree in a relevant field are stronger OPT fits. Administrative or generalist roles without a clear degree-to-job connection are less commonly sponsored under OPT.
How do I find healthcare F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in North Dakota?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry, so you can search directly for healthcare roles in North Dakota without sifting through listings that don't sponsor. The platform surfaces employers actively open to OPT candidates, which saves significant time compared to manually checking hospital career pages across Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in healthcare in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) status in many rural counties, which means healthcare employers there face genuine staffing gaps and may be more motivated to consider OPT candidates than employers in saturated urban markets. However, some clinical roles require state licensure before you can start work, so confirming that your OPT authorization timeline aligns with North Dakota's professional licensing process is important before accepting an offer.