H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs
Occupational therapist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS criteria, requiring at least a master's degree in occupational therapy. Hospitals, rehabilitation networks, and pediatric clinics sponsor H-1B visa petitions for OTs, with cap-subject filings subject to the annual 85,000-slot lottery each April.
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Company Description
Renowned as the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, our Magnet®-designated facility is a nationally recognized, academic medical center with opportunities across the continuum of care. Come join UMMC and discover the atmosphere where talents and ideas come together to enhance patient care and advance the science of nursing.
When we say “our community” we mean it.
UMMC Midtown Campus, one of two campuses of the University of Maryland Medical Center, has had a long history of working to keep our community healthy and has grown to become a trusted teaching hospital for medical and surgical care in Baltimore City.
Located in Baltimore’s cultural center near the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, UMMC Midtown Campus is a 180-bed, community teaching hospital with a focus on helping people manage chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary conditions, and infectious diseases.
Experience working with the ALS population is preferred
Primary Responsibilities:
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.
- Performs occupational therapy services to patients in accordance with generally accepted occupational therapy standards, Maryland State Board Practice, code of ethics, and departmental and/or organizational policies and procedures.
- Performs patient assessments and develops individualized treatment plan programs for clients/patients to promote health, well-being, and the patient’s ability to participate in the important activities in their life. Develops and maintains long- and short-term treatment objectives and re-evaluates and modifies treatment programs as necessary.
- Records patient evaluations, re-evaluations and care provided in the medical record, in accordance with departmental documentation standards.
- Informs patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members of evaluation results and plan for treatment and refers for further evaluation.
- Plans and provides therapy education and counseling to individuals.
- Provides mentorship and training to clinical team members and/or students as eligible based on departmental needs.
- Participates in performance improvement activities and suggests areas for improvement to colleagues in a tactful and considerate manner. Proposes performance improvement topics and alternate treatment techniques to improve therapy services.
- Reports clinical and operational issues to departmental leadership and assists in their resolution to assure high quality care and efficient departmental operations.
- Demonstrates interdisciplinary, safe, patient-centered care and delivers excellent customer service.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education & Experience - Required:
- Education: Master’s degree required. Bachelor’s degree accepted if licensed prior to 2008 (per previous requirement).
- Experience: One year of experience
- Licensure/Certifications:
- Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Maryland
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Ability to access, review, and integrate information from a variety of sources to develop a treatment plan.
- Strong verbal, written, and non-verbal communication skills, including the ability to instruct others.
- Interpersonal skills to enable the therapist to establish and maintain rapport with patient as part of the therapeutic relationship.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse healthcare team.
- Ability to manage time and set priorities according to the demands of the job.
- Ability to conceptualize and problem-solve in the management of the patient.
- Ability to break down functional tasks to achieve patient centered goals.
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members and patients.
- Ability and willingness to adapt hours of availability to variable and changing needs of the organization.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality with patients and team members.
- Ability to effectively use various pieces of medical and therapeutic equipment.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Like many employers, UMMS is being targeted by cybercriminals impersonating our recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. We will never ask for banking details, personal identification, or payment via email or text. If you suspect fraud, please contact us at careers@umms.edu.
See all 2,020+ H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Occupational Therapist
Verify your OT credentials meet H-1B requirements
USCIS requires a U.S.-equivalent master's degree in occupational therapy for H-1B approval. If you trained abroad, get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved service before applying to any employer.
Target hospital systems with cap-exempt status
Nonprofits affiliated with universities and qualifying research institutions are cap-exempt, meaning they can file your H-1B petition any time of year. Pediatric hospitals and academic medical centers are the most common OT employers with this status.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter by occupational therapist roles on Migrate Mate to find employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application filings confirm active H-1B sponsorship for your occupation code, skipping employers who say they sponsor but lack a track record.
Confirm the prevailing wage tier before signing
Your offer salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your OT specialty and work location. Run your job title and zip code through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to flag any shortfall that could block LCA certification.
Ask about premium processing during the offer stage
Standard H-1B adjudication can take several months. Confirm in writing whether your employer will use premium processing, which brings a USCIS decision within 15 business days. Many OT employers approve it for roles with a hard start date.
Align your state OT license timeline with the filing window
Most states require a full OT license before you can practice independently. If your license is pending, ask your employer to note supervisory arrangements in the I-129 petition so USCIS doesn't flag an unlicensed specialty occupation claim.
H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an occupational therapist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS classifies occupational therapy as a specialty occupation because it requires at least a master's degree in occupational therapy as a standard entry-level requirement for the profession. The O*NET occupation profile and Bureau of Labor Statistics both confirm the master's-level education requirement, which satisfies the theoretical and practical application test USCIS uses.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for occupational therapists?
Hospital systems, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and pediatric clinics are the most active H-1B sponsors for OT roles. Nonprofits affiliated with universities or research institutions are particularly valuable because they are cap-exempt, allowing them to file petitions year-round rather than competing in the April lottery. You can find verified sponsors on Migrate Mate by filtering for occupational therapist roles.
Can I work as an occupational therapist on H-1B before my state license is fully issued?
It depends on the state and the job structure. Some states allow graduates to practice under supervision with a temporary license while awaiting full licensure. If your employer structures the H-1B petition around a supervisory arrangement, USCIS may approve it, but the petition must clearly document the supervision requirements. Confirm your specific state's temporary licensure rules with your employer before filing.
What happens to my H-1B status if I switch from one OT employer to another?
H-1B portability under AC21 lets you transfer to a new employer once your petition has been pending for at least 180 days, as long as the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current status expires. You can start working for the new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed and accepted.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect OT job offers?
Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer must certify a Labor Condition Application with DOL confirming your offered salary meets the prevailing wage for your OT job title and work location. Wages are tiered by experience level. If your offer falls below the certified prevailing wage, DOL will reject the LCA and the H-1B petition cannot proceed. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify your wage tier before finalizing any offer.