Occupational Therapist Green Card Jobs
Occupational therapist roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, which requires employers to document recruitment efforts before filing your I-140 petition. Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and school districts regularly sponsor foreign OTs, making this one of the more accessible paths to U.S. permanent residency for allied health professionals.
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INTRODUCTION
We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.
At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This job evaluates patients and provides inpatient occupational therapy treatment programs based upon physician orders from inpatient providers. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team to facilitate the patient to the most appropriate level of post-acute or home care to achieve identified patient specific goals.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Education
Required - Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
Work Experience
Required - None.
Certifications
Required - Current occupational therapy license in state of practice
OR
eligibility for licensure by examination
OR
reciprocity from another state.
Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
- Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Excellent judgment and decision-making skills and ability to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
- Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Job Duties
- Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient specific goals.
- Assesses the patient's response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate to improve quality of outcome and maintain patient safety.
- Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
- Ensures treatment protocols contribute to overall hospital quality and safety targets and achieve patient safety outcomes.
- Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.
Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Physical and Environmental Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue. The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases.
There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.
Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!
Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.
Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

INTRODUCTION
We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.
At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This job evaluates patients and provides inpatient occupational therapy treatment programs based upon physician orders from inpatient providers. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team to facilitate the patient to the most appropriate level of post-acute or home care to achieve identified patient specific goals.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Education
Required - Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
Work Experience
Required - None.
Certifications
Required - Current occupational therapy license in state of practice
OR
eligibility for licensure by examination
OR
reciprocity from another state.
Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
- Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Excellent judgment and decision-making skills and ability to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
- Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Job Duties
- Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient specific goals.
- Assesses the patient's response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate to improve quality of outcome and maintain patient safety.
- Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
- Ensures treatment protocols contribute to overall hospital quality and safety targets and achieve patient safety outcomes.
- Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.
Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Physical and Environmental Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue. The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases.
There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.
Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!
Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.
Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
See all 1,286+ Occupational Therapist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Occupational Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Occupational Therapist
Get your CGFNS credentials evaluated early
Many U.S. employers and state licensing boards require a foreign credential evaluation before extending a green card offer. Start the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools evaluation process well before your job search, since delays here stall everything downstream.
Target employers with PERM filing history
Hospitals and rehab networks that have filed PERM applications before have the HR infrastructure to sponsor again. Search Migrate Mate to filter occupational therapist roles by employers with active green card sponsorship history, saving you time on cold outreach.
Verify your state OT license maps to EB-3 requirements
EB-3 skilled worker classification requires a full state licensure in the role as offered. Confirm your foreign degree and supervised clinical hours meet your target state's licensure requirements before the PERM prevailing-wage determination is submitted, since USCIS will tie the petition to that specific credential set.
Understand how PERM wage levels affect your offer
DOL requires your offered salary to meet or exceed the prevailing wage for your OT role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages by ZIP code before negotiating, so you can spot whether an offer will clear the DOL threshold.
Ask employers about concurrent I-485 filing eligibility
If your priority date is current when the I-140 is approved, you can file for adjustment of status at the same time. Confirm this with your sponsoring employer's immigration counsel early, since concurrent filing cuts the wait between I-140 approval and your work authorization.
Document your clinical specialty for EB-2 positioning
OTs with a master's degree or a demonstrated specialty in hand therapy, pediatrics, or neurological rehabilitation may qualify under EB-2 advanced-degree requirements. Collect transcripts, continuing education records, and employer letters that confirm your specialty before the PERM recruitment period opens.
Occupational Therapist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Occupational Therapist JobsOccupational Therapist Green Card Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Do occupational therapist roles typically qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
Most OT roles are sponsored under EB-3, which covers professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field. If you hold a master's degree in occupational therapy and the position requires one, your employer can petition under EB-2 instead. EB-2 requires PERM labor certification just like EB-3, but may offer a shorter wait for applicants from countries with high EB-3 demand.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for OT roles?
Green card sponsorship through PERM targets permanent residency, not a temporary work period. Unlike H-1B, there is no annual lottery for EB-3 petitions, and no cap that forces your employer to reapply each year. The tradeoff is time: PERM recruitment and I-140 adjudication add months before you can file for adjustment of status, whereas an approved H-1B lets you start work immediately.
What does the PERM labor certification process look like for an occupational therapist position?
Your employer files an application with DOL certifying that no qualified U.S. worker was available for the role at the prevailing wage. This requires a supervised recruitment campaign, typically 30 to 60 days, before the PERM application is submitted. DOL then reviews the filing, which can take several months under standard processing. Only after PERM is certified can your employer file the I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS.
How do I find occupational therapist jobs where employers are already set up to sponsor green cards?
Search for OT roles on Migrate Mate, which filters job listings by employers with documented green card sponsorship activity. This lets you focus your applications on healthcare networks, school districts, and rehab facilities that have already navigated PERM filings rather than approaching employers who have never sponsored a foreign worker before.
Does my foreign OT license or degree affect my green card eligibility?
Yes. USCIS ties your I-140 petition to the specific credentials used in the PERM application. If your foreign degree needs evaluation to establish U.S. equivalency, that evaluation must be completed before the prevailing-wage determination is filed. State licensure is also required, and most states will not issue a license until they confirm your foreign clinical hours and degree meet their standards. The O*NET occupational profile for occupational therapists confirms the degree and licensure requirements USCIS references.
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