Medical Assistant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Medical assistant roles are challenging for H-1B visa sponsorship because many positions require only a certificate or associate's degree, not a bachelor's. Some medical assistant positions at hospitals and large health systems may qualify if the employer requires a bachelor's in a health-related field. H-1B cap-exempt roles at university-affiliated medical centers could be an option. If you're targeting this field, consider advancing to a role with clearer degree requirements, like medical technologist or health information specialist. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Schedule: Varies
Pay Range: 17.57 - $26.35 Depending on Years of Experience
JOB PURPOSE: The Medical Assistant serves in a medical support role as part of a team providing quality healthcare to El Rio patients. In this role, the Medical Assistant provides direct patient care, as well as provides clinical and non-clinical services within the scope of practice at El Rio Health, at a clinic location assigned by management.
This scope of practice for a Medical Assistant employed will adhere to the Policies and Procedures of El Rio Health. An employee in this position routinely works with general supervision and review, and any work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are reviewed with the supervisor for resolution.
The primary goal of the El Rio Health Medical Assistant is to support El Rio’s Mission of providing comprehensive, quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all who may have healthcare needs, by successfully performing the primary essential functions.
Essential Job Functions:
- Completes all clinical and non-clinical assigned duties, tasks, responsibilities, and assignments for a Medical Assistant within reasonable time frames while meeting established rates of performance for the position, ensuring the highest standards of excellence and the lowest of error rates in your work performance.
- Prior to the patient seeing a provider the Medical Assistant will complete all the steps and actions that are defined in the Patient Intake Process:
- documenting all the information
- patient responses to inquiries
- actions into the patient’s Electronic Health Record (EHR)
- Assists, performs, or completes procedures, and/or activities, within the scope of practice appropriate for a Medical Assistant position while complying with all Nursing Policies and Procedures.
- Anticipates, identifies, and responds to the needs of the patient based upon the patient’s reason for the visit, including the coordination and availability of all outside medical records, as well as laboratory and radiology results.
- Completes all Provider Orders ensuring that the patient understands and verbalizes their understanding of the discharge instructions.
- Documents completed orders and actions taken by the Medical Assistant shall be entered into the patient’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) and submitted for processing within the defined period.
- Completes all administrative and non-clerical activities, which are received through El Rio Health IT systems and/or the Patient Portal in support of clinical operations, completing all required documentation on these activities.
- Maintains proficient skill levels that meet defined performance expectations for a Medical Assistant, as evidenced by successful completion of competency skills evaluations for this position on an annual basis.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures to include, but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, etc. as required for a Medical Assistant.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Accreditation standards for a Medical Assistant.
- Maintains patient confidentiality by controlling the environment and information disclosed to authorized individuals ensuring HIPAA and corporate compliance requirements at all times.
- Understands and complies with all organizational Code of Conduct standards, Policies and Procedures, Standing Orders, and Service Excellence requirements at all times with all patients, visitors, and employees.
- Ensures a work environment safe and free from hazards; immediately address or inform management of safety issues or hazards; adhere to Health and Safety Policies and Procedures; participate in all safety programs, which may include assignment to an emergency response team.
- Demonstrates at all times a professional attitude and acceptable job performance for all clinical and non-clinical duties, tasks, responsibilities, and assignments for this position at any clinic location or assignment that supports the operational needs of El Rio Health and as assigned by organizational leadership.
- Evaluates problems, situations, or issues presented to the employee (whether in a clinical or non-clinical environment) for priority needs, resolving the problem effectively and in a timely manner using critical-thinking and problem-solving skills appropriate to the position and authority for a Medical Assistant.
- Ensures that all communication with a patient is completed in a proactive, positive, and effective manner that promotes the patient’s compliance with scheduled appointments and/or treatments.
- Documents communication efforts with the patient in the patient’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with the Nursing Policies and Procedures.
- Identifies and reports any safety hazard, or potential hazard, by directly notifying supervisory staff immediately and ensuring that El Rio facilities provide a safe and secure environment for all patients, visitors, and employees.
- Adheres to Health and Safety Policies and Procedures; participate in all safety programs, which may include assignment to an emergency response team.
- Adds labels, rotates, and stocks medications, medical supplies, and equipment in compliance with the Nursing Policies and Procedures, maintaining proper and appropriate inventories for operational use.
Minimum Education and Experience:
- A High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D.).
If applicable, equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, and must be directly related to the functions and responsibilities of the job.
Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:
- A Medical Assistant Certificate from an approved and accredited educational institution.
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers.
- Level I fingerprint clearance card: current valid and in good standing or have applied for it within seven working days after beginning employment.
- Employees in this position may be required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday. If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver’s license and must comply with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.
Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities:
- One year of experience as a medical assistant in an ambulatory health care setting.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to speak, read and write in both languages.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices to perform the essential functions of the job.
El Rio Health does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
El Rio Health requires all AZ employees to have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance card. A.R.S. 36.425.03. New hires and transfers must submit their fingerprint clearance card or fingerprint receipt before their hire date or transfer date. Level One (1) Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance card must be received within 30 days after the new employee hire date or transfer date.
All employees are strongly recommended to obtain and maintain vaccination status (i.e., as recommended by CDC and/or other public health agencies) to include an Influenza vaccination. Subject to exemptions and accommodations when required by law. (Policy: Adm-016 & Adm-045).
All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive.
El Rio Health is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards. El Rio Health is an equal opportunity employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Medical Assistant
Target federally qualified health centers in underserved areas
FQHCs in medically underserved areas face chronic staffing shortages across all clinical support roles, including medical assistants. Some of these centers have experience navigating employment-based green card petitions for their staff. Working in an underserved area also positions you within a healthcare system that may support your advancement to higher-level roles.
Earn CMA or RMA certification to strengthen your candidacy
Nationally recognized certifications from AAMA or AMT demonstrate that you meet U.S. clinical competency standards for phlebotomy, EKG, medication administration, and patient assessment. Certified medical assistants typically earn higher wages, which can support a stronger petition if your employer pursues sponsorship. Certification is also required by many states and employers as a condition of employment.
Develop specialized clinical skills beyond basic MA duties
Training in areas like dermatology assisting, ophthalmology tech work, or podiatric medical assisting can make you more valuable to specialty practices. These niche skills are harder to find locally and may give an employer a stronger business reason to sponsor. Specialty certifications from AMT and NHA exist for several of these focus areas.
Consider advancing to a bachelor's-level healthcare role
Using your MA experience as a foundation, pursuing a bachelor's degree in health sciences, health information management, or clinical laboratory science can open H-1B-eligible career paths. Many universities offer flexible or online programs that allow you to work while studying. The combination of hands-on clinical experience and a bachelor's degree creates a much stronger sponsorship profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can medical assistants get visa sponsorship in the U.S.?
Visa sponsorship for medical assistants is challenging because most positions do not require a bachelor's degree, which is the threshold for H-1B visa specialty occupation classification. However, some employer-sponsored green card pathways exist through the EB-3 category, including the "other workers" subcategory for positions requiring less than two years of training. Wait times for EB-3 other workers can be very long, particularly for applicants from countries with high demand like India.
How to find Medical Assistant jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Medical Assistant jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsored positions. Focus your search on large hospital systems, healthcare networks, and medical clinics that commonly sponsor H-1B or other work visas. These healthcare employers often have ongoing needs for qualified Medical Assistants and established visa sponsorship programs.
What certifications should I get as an international medical assistant?
The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from AAMA and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from AMT are the most widely recognized certifications. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from NHA is another option. Having a certification demonstrates competency in U.S. clinical standards and can make you a stronger candidate when employers consider whether to pursue sponsorship.
Is it better to pursue additional education to qualify for a different visa category?
For many international medical assistants, pursuing a bachelor's or associate degree in a health science field while working can open stronger visa pathways. A bachelor's degree may qualify you for H-1B-eligible roles like health services coordinator, clinical research assistant, or patient care navigator. This path requires a longer time investment but may lead to more reliable sponsorship options.
Do any states have higher demand for medical assistants that might increase sponsorship chances?
States with large aging populations and rural healthcare shortages - including Texas, Florida, California, and Arizona - have significant demand for medical assistants. Employers in medically underserved areas may be more willing to explore sponsorship because they struggle to fill positions locally. Federally qualified health centers in these areas sometimes have experience with immigration processes for their clinical staff.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Medical Assistant jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a medical assistant in Texas will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.