H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
Occupational Therapy Assistant roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires an associate degree or higher in occupational therapy assisting. Many hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and school districts sponsor H-1B visas for OTAs, particularly in underserved regions where demand consistently outpaces the domestic workforce.
Find H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 177+ Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs
See all 177+ Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Occupational Therapy Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsFacility:
CoxHealth South: 3801 S National Ave, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America, 65807
Department:
1089 Acute Therapy South
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
36
Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
CoxHealth is a leading healthcare system serving 25 counties across southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. The organization includes six hospitals, 5 ERs, and over 80 clinics. CoxHealth has earned the following honors for workplace excellence:
- Named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to work five times.
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare (2025, 2026), Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023, 2024), and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity (2024) by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
- Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads.
- Healthcare Innovation's Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare (2025).
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement with Employer Match and more (20+ hrs/week)
- For a comprehensive list of benefits, please click here: Benefits | CoxHealth
Job Description:
Overview of Unit/Department
Acute Care at Cox South Hospital’s main campus is a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where therapists make a meaningful impact every day. Working across units like the ICU and medical-surgical floors, you’ll gain diverse clinical experience while continuing to grow your skills. We offer a strong mentorship program to support new graduates and those new to acute care, along with a collaborative culture where teamwork is key. It’s a great place to learn, feel supported, and build a rewarding career.
Additional Information About the Position for Qualified Candidates
- Up to $6,000 Sign-On Bonus
- Up to 40 hours of front-loaded Paid Time Off
- Up to $3,000 Relocation bonus
- Clinical Ladder up to $5,000
Job Summary
A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant has the responsibility to carry out the plan of care as outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist. This plan of care is designed to improve functional movement and independence with daily tasks through activities that will decrease pain, improve strength, range of motion, endurance, and coordination. The primary functions are to perform patient related activities, including delegated procedures that are commensurate with his/her educational skill and training. These activities may include therapeutic exercise and activities, ADL training, fine motor skills and coordination, physical agents / modalities, and patient education. The incumbent has the responsibility for maintaining standards of professional and ethical practice in the provision of Occupational Therapy services.
Education
Required: Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Experience
No prior experience required
Skills
- Good clinical expertise, communication skills, human relations skills and organizational skills required.
- Self-motivated individual who can work independently with little direct supervision required.
- Has demonstrated interest in professional growth by attendance at continuing education workshops, and applications of new principles and/or techniques.
Licensure/Certification/Registration
Required: License for Occupational Therapy Assistant active in the state of Missouri
Facility:
CoxHealth South: 3801 S National Ave, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America, 65807
Department:
1089 Acute Therapy South
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
36
Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
CoxHealth is a leading healthcare system serving 25 counties across southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. The organization includes six hospitals, 5 ERs, and over 80 clinics. CoxHealth has earned the following honors for workplace excellence:
- Named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to work five times.
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare (2025, 2026), Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023, 2024), and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity (2024) by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
- Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads.
- Healthcare Innovation's Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare (2025).
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement with Employer Match and more (20+ hrs/week)
- For a comprehensive list of benefits, please click here: Benefits | CoxHealth
Job Description:
Overview of Unit/Department
Acute Care at Cox South Hospital’s main campus is a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where therapists make a meaningful impact every day. Working across units like the ICU and medical-surgical floors, you’ll gain diverse clinical experience while continuing to grow your skills. We offer a strong mentorship program to support new graduates and those new to acute care, along with a collaborative culture where teamwork is key. It’s a great place to learn, feel supported, and build a rewarding career.
Additional Information About the Position for Qualified Candidates
- Up to $6,000 Sign-On Bonus
- Up to 40 hours of front-loaded Paid Time Off
- Up to $3,000 Relocation bonus
- Clinical Ladder up to $5,000
Job Summary
A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant has the responsibility to carry out the plan of care as outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist. This plan of care is designed to improve functional movement and independence with daily tasks through activities that will decrease pain, improve strength, range of motion, endurance, and coordination. The primary functions are to perform patient related activities, including delegated procedures that are commensurate with his/her educational skill and training. These activities may include therapeutic exercise and activities, ADL training, fine motor skills and coordination, physical agents / modalities, and patient education. The incumbent has the responsibility for maintaining standards of professional and ethical practice in the provision of Occupational Therapy services.
Education
Required: Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Experience
No prior experience required
Skills
- Good clinical expertise, communication skills, human relations skills and organizational skills required.
- Self-motivated individual who can work independently with little direct supervision required.
- Has demonstrated interest in professional growth by attendance at continuing education workshops, and applications of new principles and/or techniques.
Licensure/Certification/Registration
Required: License for Occupational Therapy Assistant active in the state of Missouri
See all 177+ H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Verify your NBCOT certification before applying
H-1B employers filing for OTA roles expect active NBCOT COTA certification before they'll initiate sponsorship. Confirm your certification is current and your state license is in good standing before targeting sponsors.
Filter employers by LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to search employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for OTA or occupational therapy roles. Active LCA history signals a company already understands the H-1B process and won't hesitate at the sponsor step.
Target healthcare systems over staffing agencies
Direct-hire hospital systems and school districts are more reliable H-1B sponsors than staffing agencies. Agencies often can't file as the petitioning employer for specialty occupation roles, leaving you without a viable sponsor.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage meeting or exceeding the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run your role through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the numbers align.
Request premium processing when timelines are tight
If your OPT or prior status expires within a few months of your start date, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing. This cuts adjudication to 15 business days and protects your cap-gap window if you're transitioning from F-1 status.
Confirm your role's specialty occupation classification
Some OTA postings list an associate degree as preferred rather than required, which weakens the specialty occupation argument for USCIS. Review the O*NET occupation profile for OTAs and ensure the job description explicitly requires a degree in occupational therapy assisting.
H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, OTA positions qualify when the employer requires at least an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting as a minimum entry requirement. USCIS evaluates the job description, not just the title. If the posting says a degree is preferred rather than required, the specialty occupation case weakens, so always check the exact language before applying to sponsored roles.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for OTAs?
Hospital systems, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, pediatric therapy practices, and school districts with persistent staffing shortages are the most active H-1B sponsors for OTA roles. These employers tend to have in-house HR teams or retained immigration counsel who are familiar with the LCA and I-129 process. Browse OTA roles with verified sponsorship history on Migrate Mate to identify active filers in your target location.
Does my employer need to file a PERM labor certification to sponsor my H-1B as an OTA?
No. PERM is required for green card sponsorship through employment, not for the H-1B. For the H-1B, your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL and then submits Form I-129 to USCIS. PERM only becomes relevant if the same employer later decides to sponsor you for permanent residence.
Can I work at multiple clinic locations on a single H-1B as an OTA?
Only if your employer filed the LCA to cover each worksite location. DOL requires a separate LCA posting for each physical location where you'll work. If your employer adds a new location after your H-1B is approved, they must file an amended I-129 with USCIS before you begin working at that site. Confirm this with your employer before accepting a role that involves multiple sites.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect OTA job seekers?
Most OTA employers in the private sector are subject to the annual H-1B cap, which means your petition enters the lottery each April for an October 1 start. Nonprofit hospitals, government-affiliated health systems, and certain educational institutions are cap-exempt, allowing year-round filing with no lottery risk. If lottery timing is a concern, prioritizing cap-exempt employers is a practical strategy worth building your job search around.