H-1B Visa COTA Jobs
COTA roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires a state license and an associate or bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. Most hospital systems, rehabilitation networks, and skilled nursing facilities with active H-1B filing history sponsor COTAs annually, making this one of the more accessible therapy paths for international candidates.
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37650 Navicent Health Medical Center - Inpatient Rehabilitation
Status:
Part time
Benefits Eligible:
No
Hours Per Week:
0
Schedule Details/Additional Information:
Days and weekends as needed.
Pay Range:
$25.30 - $37.95
Major Responsibilities:
- Assists the Occupational Therapist in evaluation of the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and the impact on the patient's activities of daily living. Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.
- Implements individual treatment to re-train and teach compensatory techniques for residual disability in activities of daily living, adapted homemaking techniques, bathroom transfers, functional application of mobility skills and, when appropriate, training in adapted work methods. Monitors and notifies/updates the supervisory therapist of patient's response to treatment given.
- Plans for patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, and ordering equipment with direction of evaluating/supervising.
- Completes all required documentation with appropriate co-signatures, including patient progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and records patient care and progress of each patient assigned as well as daily statistics, billing, and scheduling. Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
- Responsible for cleaning up after patient treatment, putting away equipment, and keeping area neat and orderly. Performs various manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
- Demonstrates skill in use of modalities, exercise equipment and other devices that are available in area worked per department orientation checklist. Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
- Participates in performance improvement activities designed to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes and to improve quality of care. Manages assigned caseload, informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to cover; assists with coverage, based on department needs and regional needs.
- Pursues professional growth through participation in continuing education courses, department inservices, and reading professional literature. Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested. Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing verbal or written feedback as requested.
- Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.
Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
- Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the state of Wisconsin.
- A valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Education Required:
- Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy Assist.
Experience Required:
- No experience required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Intermediate computer skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good organization, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
- Must be able to:
- Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
- Lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.
- Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance.
- Must be able to:
- Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
- Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
- Position requires repetitive use of hands:
- Simple grasping - 5-15 lbs. - 20% of the workday.
- Pushing/pulling - up to 75-100 lbs. - 10% of the day.
- Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization.
- Must have functional use of senses to allow for effective communication.
- Exposed to electrical and chemical hazards as well as blood and body fluids; therefore must have ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
- Position may require travel; therefore may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
- Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.
Our Commitment to You:
Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:
Compensation
- Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
- Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
- Incentive pay for select positions
- Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Benefits and more
- Paid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.
Assists in evaluating patients and executes appropriate treatment for patients under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
Department:
37650 Navicent Health Medical Center - Inpatient Rehabilitation
Status:
Part time
Benefits Eligible:
No
Hours Per Week:
0
Schedule Details/Additional Information:
Days and weekends as needed.
Pay Range:
$25.30 - $37.95
Major Responsibilities:
- Assists the Occupational Therapist in evaluation of the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and the impact on the patient's activities of daily living. Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.
- Implements individual treatment to re-train and teach compensatory techniques for residual disability in activities of daily living, adapted homemaking techniques, bathroom transfers, functional application of mobility skills and, when appropriate, training in adapted work methods. Monitors and notifies/updates the supervisory therapist of patient's response to treatment given.
- Plans for patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, and ordering equipment with direction of evaluating/supervising.
- Completes all required documentation with appropriate co-signatures, including patient progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and records patient care and progress of each patient assigned as well as daily statistics, billing, and scheduling. Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
- Responsible for cleaning up after patient treatment, putting away equipment, and keeping area neat and orderly. Performs various manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
- Demonstrates skill in use of modalities, exercise equipment and other devices that are available in area worked per department orientation checklist. Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
- Participates in performance improvement activities designed to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes and to improve quality of care. Manages assigned caseload, informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to cover; assists with coverage, based on department needs and regional needs.
- Pursues professional growth through participation in continuing education courses, department inservices, and reading professional literature. Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested. Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing verbal or written feedback as requested.
- Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.
Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
- Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the state of Wisconsin.
- A valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Education Required:
- Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy Assist.
Experience Required:
- No experience required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Intermediate computer skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good organization, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
- Must be able to:
- Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
- Lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.
- Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance.
- Must be able to:
- Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
- Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
- Position requires repetitive use of hands:
- Simple grasping - 5-15 lbs. - 20% of the workday.
- Pushing/pulling - up to 75-100 lbs. - 10% of the day.
- Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization.
- Must have functional use of senses to allow for effective communication.
- Exposed to electrical and chemical hazards as well as blood and body fluids; therefore must have ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
- Position may require travel; therefore may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
- Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.
Our Commitment to You:
Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:
Compensation
- Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
- Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
- Incentive pay for select positions
- Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Benefits and more
- Paid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.
Assists in evaluating patients and executes appropriate treatment for patients under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
See all 35+ H-1B Visa COTA Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa COTA Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in COTA
Verify your credential equivalency early
Foreign OT credentials must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency before USCIS will approve your petition. Use a NACES-approved credential evaluation service and confirm your degree maps to a U.S. occupational therapy assistant program before applying to any role.
Check state licensure before targeting employers
COTAs must hold a valid state license before starting work, and H-1B approval doesn't substitute for it. Research each state's OTA licensure board requirements early since some states have longer processing windows that can delay your start date.
Use OFLC Wage Search to set salary expectations
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run an OFLC Wage Search for occupational therapy assistants in your target metro before negotiating, so you know what the LCA must certify.
Target employers with rehab contract staffing arms
Large rehabilitation contract companies that staff COTAs across multiple SNFs and outpatient clinics file H-1B petitions more regularly than single-facility employers. Searching by industry segment on Migrate Mate shows which employers have active LCA filing history for this role.
Confirm NBCOT certification before the I-129 is filed
USCIS expects your NBCOT certification to be in hand or imminent at petition time. If your exam date falls after the proposed start date, your employer's attorney should address this directly in the support letter to avoid an RFE.
Understand cap timing relative to your OPT or status
H-1B cap petitions are filed in April for an October 1 start. If you're on OPT, confirm your EAD end date and cap-gap eligibility with your DSO so there's no gap in work authorization between your current status and the H-1B effective date.
H-1B Visa COTA: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a COTA role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, COTA roles qualify when the position requires at minimum an associate degree in occupational therapy and a state license. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status on a case-by-case basis, so your employer's support letter should clearly document that a specific OT degree is a standard minimum requirement for the role, not just preferred.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for COTAs?
Rehabilitation contract companies, large hospital systems, and multi-site skilled nursing facility operators tend to sponsor COTAs most consistently because they have in-house immigration counsel and recurring staffing needs. You can filter employers by H-1B LCA filing history on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations have sponsored COTA or OTA roles specifically, rather than guessing from general employer reputation.
Does H-1B sponsorship for COTAs typically require PERM labor certification?
No. H-1B sponsorship for temporary employment does not require PERM labor certification. PERM is required only if your employer is also sponsoring you for a green card through the EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based immigrant visa category. For initial H-1B status, only the DOL Labor Condition Application and USCIS I-129 petition are required.
Can a COTA employer file H-1B petitions for multiple work sites?
Yes, but the employer must file a separate LCA for each work location where you'll provide services for more than 40 hours in a workweek. This is common for COTAs who rotate across SNFs or outpatient clinics under a single contract employer. Each LCA must certify the prevailing wage for that specific work location's metro area.
What happens to my H-1B status if my COTA employer loses a facility contract?
Your H-1B status is tied to the petitioning employer, not the specific facility. If your employer reassigns you to a new site, they may need to amend your petition if the new location has a materially different wage level. If the employer terminates your position entirely, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart the U.S.