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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Occupational Therapist
0.75 - 0.9 FTE, 60 - 72 hours per pay period
Hours scheduled between 7 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday
Starting salary between $69,617 - $87,027.20 based on experience
Position Overview:
The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides therapy programs for referred clients with developmental deficits, physical injury or illness, and/or psychological or cognitive disability in coordination with other OTs, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), and other health professionals. The OT evaluates and treats populations including orthopedics, neurological conditions, conditions that impact cognition, home safety and adaptations, and specialty areas including pediatrics and hand therapy. The OT provides direct patient care, including assessment, development of the plan of care, treatment, documentation, and patient education to clients of all ages. They direct patient participation, progression, and discharge following clinical best practice guidelines to restore, reinforce, and enhance patient performance. They facilitate the learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity. The OT is accountable for productivity and personal, and professional growth. They should possess the skills to be adaptable to a dynamic team environment and open to the idea of developing, promoting, and performing new programs to facilitate rehabilitation. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for student and COTA supervision and delegation to support staff. The role may include other duties as assigned.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Documents all skilled and medically necessary care thoroughly, timely, and accurately per departmental policy.
- Performs direct patient care and evidence-based practice in a safe, ethical, and legal manner.
- Performs all duties within the scope of the occupational therapy practice guidelines.
- Develops and revises a plan of care based on the initial assessment, continual reassessment of patient/caregiver needs, patient history, diagnosis, physician orders, protocol, COTA feedback, expected outcomes, and the patient's needs and goals to include discharge plans as appropriate.
- Evaluates patient response to treatment, measures change and development, shares findings, and makes appropriate recommendations and referrals.
- Directs patient participation, progression, and discharge following clinical best practice guidelines to restore, reinforce, and enhance patient performance.
- May assist in patient de-escalation.
- Documentation, charges, and care must comply with Medicare, State, Federal, insurance, and payor requirements and departmental policy.
- Maintains patient and organizational confidentiality at all times.
- Performs duties following departmental productivity standards. Independent in using time wisely.
- Promotes service excellence with patient scheduling and accommodation with appointments.
- Responds positively to changes in the schedule and site of occupational therapy services. Uses unscheduled time to develop programs, complete projects, or assist the department as needed.
- Promotes the appropriate utilization of resources.
- Collaborates and consults with other health care professionals and shares gained knowledge. Delegates appropriately to COTAs and rehabilitation aides. Serves in a mentorship capacity to students.
- Provides consultation to individuals, businesses, schools, government agencies, or other organizations by providing professional advice or opinion, recommending solutions, or producing a specific outcome.
- Serves on departmental or organizational committees as appropriate.
- Delivers a high level of customer service to all internal and external customers.
- Provides education and communicates treatment goals and methods to caregivers.
- Fosters and promotes the occupational therapy profession; attends professional continuing education courses and hospital in-services.
- Strive to master the skills necessary to exceed the expectations of the people we serve.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on facility needs and requirements.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct reports.
Skills and Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy curriculum.
- Certification with NBCOT and licensed or pending licensure with the State of Minnesota.
- Ability to demonstrate appropriate clinical skills and abilities.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
- One year of clinical experience.
Summary of Benefits at Winona Health:
At Winona Health, we are dedicated to offering a comprehensive and affordable benefits package for our employees and their families. While benefits may vary based on employment classification and job status, the following key benefits are available:
- Health Insurance: Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives
- Income Protection: Short and long-term disability, plus additional benefits like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans
- Retirement Planning: Access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions once eligibility requirements are met
- Work/Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time to support personal well-being
- Education & Development: Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars to foster both personal and professional growth
- Employee Discounts: Special offers with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers
For more details or specific information, visit our website or contact Human Resources
Internal Applicant Policy:
It is the policy of Winona Health to work with employees in an equitable fashion regarding promotions, transfers and position reclassifications.
Any employee wishing to apply for another available position at Winona Health must submit an application for consideration through the internal application portal. Employees requesting to change positions should have successfully completed at least six (6) months in their current position. Employees currently in the formal disciplinary process may be required to meet with the Director of Human Resources to determine eligibility to request transfer. The employee’s past performance, experience, training and qualifications will be considered in transfer/hiring decisions. Consideration for transfer or promotion is not a guarantee of transfer or promotion. Employees may be given a chance to interview for a position when they meet the minimum position qualifications.
Disclaimer:
Winona Health is an equal opportunity employer. Winona Health does not refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate against a person with respect to tenure, compensation, terms, upgrading, conditions, facilities, or privileges of employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local discrimination commission, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination under applicable local, state, or federal law. Winona Health does not tolerate retaliation against any employee, patient/resident, physician, or other individuals pursuing concerns regarding Civil Rights issues. Winona Health adheres to ALL pertinent governmental policies and legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, as amended, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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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.