If you’re a foreigner in the healthcare sector and dreaming of working in the United States, the good news is that there’s strong demand for healthcare workers, and many US employers are willing to offer visa sponsorship to qualified and certified international healthcare professionals who want to work in the US.
There are many healthcare job roles in the USA that come with sponsored visas, like registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, medical technologists, etc. So, if you are a foreign-trained health professional with expertise in any of these fields, you stand a high chance of getting a visa-sponsored healthcare role in the US.
For more information on healthcare jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship and other related aspects of this article, kindly keep tabs as I walk you through this comprehensive guide.
Healthcare Jobs in the USA with Visa Sponsorship
There are different kinds of healthcare jobs in the USA that come with visa sponsorship. They are discussed below:
1. Registered Nurses (RNs)
This is one of the popular healthcare jobs in the USA that comes with visa sponsorship. Currently, there is extremely high demand for foreign registered nurses in the US to fill the gap in different US health institutions. However, for you to secure a registered nurse role in the US as a foreigner, you are required to have a nursing degree, RN certification, and experience in critical care or oncology. The available visa option for foreign registered nurses in the US are
- H-1B, H-1C (for RNs in underserved areas)
- EB-3 (Employment-Based Green Card).
2. Physical Therapists
Another healthcare job role in the US that often comes with sponsored visas for foreign health practitioners is physical therapists. Many US health employers, especially those in rehabilitation centres and orthopaedic clinics, are open to sponsoring visas for foreign-trained therapists who are willing to work in rural and underserved areas in the United States. However, to get this visa-sponsored opportunity for a physical therapist role in the US, you are expected to have a master’s or doctorate in physical therapy, licensure, and at least 3-5 years of working experience. The available visa options for for foreign physical therapist in the US are H-1B, EB-2, and EB-3
3. Physicians and Specialists
There is also high demand for physicians with specialities in psychiatry, radiology, cardiology, and internal medicine in the US. In fact, many US hospitals and healthcare networks offer J-1 visa waivers and H-1B sponsorship to foreign-trained physicians and specialists who are willing to work in areas facing a doctor shortage. You need to have a medical degree and relevant licensing before you can get physician and specialist healthcare visa-sponsored roles in the United States. The visa options that you can opt for are
- J-1 visa for residency programs
- H-1B, and O-1 for outstanding physicians.
4. Occupational Therapists (OTs)
This is another healthcare role in the US that mostly comes with a sponsored visa for foreign-trained healthcare practitioners. There is increasing demand for occupational therapists in the US due to the lack of homegrown candidates. You need a degree in occupational therapy, state licensing, and relevant experience to secure this role with a sponsored visa in the US. The visa options available for occupational therapists are H-1B, EB-3, and sometimes TN (for Canadian and Mexican citizens).
5. Medical Technologists and Lab Technicians
Due to the expansion of health facilities in the US, there is increasing demand for medical technologists and lab technicians, which can help in running diagnostic tests, analysing medical samples and working closely with physicians to aid in accurate diagnosis. As a foreigner, you must have a degree in medical technology or laboratory science with relevant certifications. The visa options here are H-1B and EB-3.
How to Apply for Healthcare Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in the USA
To apply for and secure a healthcare job in the US with visa sponsorship, you’ll need to follow some procedures. The application process is discussed below:
1. Research and Get US Employer that Offers Sponosred Visa for a Healthcare Job
When you want to apply for a visa-sponsored healthcare role in the US, the first thing that you should do is to get a US employer who is offering sponsored visas for foreign-trained health professionals. You can check popular US health institutions, like HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, etc., because they are known for hiring international health professionals.
2. Network and Connect with Professional Associations
To increase your chances of getting healthcare jobs in the US with visa sponsorship, you can join associations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to get more insights on the best approach to securing the visa-sponsored health role. You can also connect with other professionals in the health field by attending conferences and utilising the LinkedIn platform.
3. Prepare a tailored resume and apply through the job board.
After getting the necessary knowledge and understanding how the whole process works, you should go to job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc. and find healthcare roles that align with your specialty. Once you find this role, you should prepare your resume to align with the job objectives. Ensure that you include all your relevant experience in your resume to stand you out among other candidates. Once you are done designing your resume, you can submit your application job board or apply to the employer directly through their website.
4. Work with International Recruitment Agencies
Since the healthcare role that comes with visa sponsorship opportunities in the US is always competitive, you can opt for recruitment agencies like Avant Healthcare Professionals and PassportUSA for them to help connect you to potential US health employers since they specialise in recruiting healthcare workers for U.S. positions. They will also guide you through the visa process to ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements.
5. Prepare for Licensing Exams Early
After submitting your application, you should prepare for licensing exams since many healthcare roles in the USA require licensing exams, such as the NCLEX for nurses or USMLE for doctors. You should prepare very well for the exam because if you fail it, you won’t be able to get the sponsored visa.
Healthcare Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners
There are many ongoing healthcare job roles with visa sponsorship opportunities for foreigners in the US. They are:
- ER nursing job role at NY Hospital in Kansas City, MO, United States. Apply Now
- Family/Internal Medicine Physician role at Lake Havasu City, AZ, United States. Apply Now
- Registered nursing role at Orange City, FL, United States Apply Now
- Histology technologist role at Memorial Healthcare System located at Pembroke Pines, FL, United States Apply Now
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist role at Memorial Healthcare System located at Hollywood, FL, United States Apply Now
- MFM Physician role at Newmark Healthcare Services, Inc., located in Pennsylvania, United States Apply Now
Conclusion
There are many healthcare roles in the US that come with visa sponsorship for foreign-trained healthcare professionals. Once you have the relevant certification and experience in your field, you can start applying for the visa-sponsored roles that align with your speciality. And if you are lucky, you’ll secure the opportunity.
