Lab Associate Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Lab associate positions typically require a bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, or related fields, making them eligible for H-1B visa and other skilled worker visas. These roles often qualify as specialty occupations since they require specific scientific education and laboratory training that employers can document in visa petitions. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsPenn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: PRN
FTE: 0.001
Shift: Evening
Evening Shift Differential: $2.00/hour
Hours: 2:30p - 11:00p weekdays, rotate weekends 6:00a
Recruiter Contact: Brie Kissell at bkissell@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for performing venipuncture, patient registrations into hospital registration system, accessioning laboratory physicians orders into the laboratory information system, assuring proper handling of patient specimens, assuring accuracy of patient identification demographic and verifying insurance information. Maintain knowledge of regulations applicable to the lab and hospital to maintain constant compliance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- High School Diploma plus additional training or equivalent knowledge required
- Training of up to 18 months beyond the high school level or equivalent knowledge required. Applicants trained outside of the United States must provide documentation of equivalency evaluation of their education and training to ensure it is equivalent to CLIA requirements. The equivalency evaluations will be performed by a nationally recognized organization. Ex. National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES), the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). The applicant is responsible for paying the cost of the equivalency evaluation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S):
- Six (6) months job related experience preferred.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: PRN
FTE: 0.001
Shift: Evening
Evening Shift Differential: $2.00/hour
Hours: 2:30p - 11:00p weekdays, rotate weekends 6:00a
Recruiter Contact: Brie Kissell at bkissell@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for performing venipuncture, patient registrations into hospital registration system, accessioning laboratory physicians orders into the laboratory information system, assuring proper handling of patient specimens, assuring accuracy of patient identification demographic and verifying insurance information. Maintain knowledge of regulations applicable to the lab and hospital to maintain constant compliance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- High School Diploma plus additional training or equivalent knowledge required
- Training of up to 18 months beyond the high school level or equivalent knowledge required. Applicants trained outside of the United States must provide documentation of equivalency evaluation of their education and training to ensure it is equivalent to CLIA requirements. The equivalency evaluations will be performed by a nationally recognized organization. Ex. National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES), the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). The applicant is responsible for paying the cost of the equivalency evaluation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S):
- Six (6) months job related experience preferred.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Lab Associate
Target biotech and pharmaceutical companies
Large biotech firms like Amgen, Genentech, and Biogen regularly sponsor lab associates. They have established immigration processes and can demonstrate the specialized knowledge required for regulatory compliance.
Highlight your laboratory certifications
Include GLP, GMP, biosafety, or instrument-specific certifications in your applications. These credentials help employers justify specialty occupation requirements and differentiate you from general science graduates.
Emphasize analytical technique experience
Detail your hands-on experience with HPLC, mass spectrometry, PCR, or cell culture techniques. Employers can use specific methodologies to support the specialized nature of the position.
Apply to contract research organizations
CROs like Covance, IQVIA, and Charles River Labs frequently hire lab associates and have experience with visa sponsorship due to their need for specialized scientific talent.
Focus on quality control roles
QC lab positions in pharmaceuticals and medical devices often require regulatory knowledge that employers can cite as specialized. These roles typically have clearer specialty occupation documentation.
Consider academic medical centers
University hospitals and research institutions often sponsor lab associates, especially those with molecular diagnostics or clinical laboratory experience. They understand immigration processes for international researchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lab associate positions qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, lab associate roles typically qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship since they require a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or related scientific fields. Employers must demonstrate that the position requires specialized scientific knowledge that directly relates to your academic background and laboratory training.
What degree do I need for visa sponsorship as a lab associate?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related life science field. Some positions may accept medical laboratory science or clinical laboratory technology degrees. The degree must directly relate to the analytical or research techniques used in the role.
Which visa types work best for lab associate positions?
H-1B is the most common, but TN visa works for Canadian and Mexican citizens with qualifying degrees. O-1 visa may apply for lab associates with exceptional research achievements. E-3 visa is available for Australian citizens with relevant scientific degrees and specialty occupation requirements.
How do employers prove lab associate roles are specialty occupations?
Employers document specific laboratory techniques, regulatory requirements, and analytical methods that require specialized scientific education. They cite industry standards for GLP, FDA compliance, or clinical testing protocols that demand degree-level knowledge in chemistry or biology to perform the work.
What's the approval rate for lab associate H-1B petitions?
Lab associate H-1B petitions generally have favorable approval rates when the employer clearly documents the scientific nature of the work and degree requirements. Positions in FDA-regulated industries or clinical laboratories tend to have stronger cases due to established regulatory frameworks requiring specialized knowledge.
How to find Lab Associate jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Lab Associate positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, research institutions, and clinical laboratories that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN visa, and O-1 visas for scientific roles. These employers frequently need skilled lab professionals and are experienced with the sponsorship process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Lab Associate jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.