J-1 Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs
Occupational therapists pursuing U.S. clinical or research experience can access J-1 visa sponsorship through the Trainee or Research Scholar program categories. A State Department-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, while your U.S. hospital, rehabilitation center, or academic medical center serves as the host site.
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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Mission Statement
The mission of SMS is to support the Michigan Medicine mission and operations through partnership, guidance, and education to promote health, safety, protection of the environment, and regulatory compliance. SMS programs will incorporate the values of quality, responsibility, accountability, trust, clear communication, diversity, flexibility, and respect in all our actions.
Job Summary
The Michigan Medicine Safety Management Services department (SMS) promotes health, safety, and environmental compliance within the Michigan Medicine community. At Michigan Medicine, protection of the environment and safety on the job is everyone's responsibility. SMS provides leadership at all levels of the university to maintain a healthy workplace and to protect the environment.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Occupational Health and Safety intern is to gain an overview of our services. Observe, learn, and participate in all areas of our ergonomics program, including office ergonomics and safe patient handling and mobility.
Required Qualifications
- Enrolled in or graduated from a related bachelor's degree program.
- Must be able to wear protective equipment (PPE) and have no lifting, walking or breathing restrictions.
- Ability to use various electronic and mechanical devices and tools.
- Ability to work in laboratory or clinical environments.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
- Experience using a computer and tablet for basic functions like email, scheduling, and reports.
Desired Qualifications
Experience or coursework in Industrial Hygiene, injury investigation, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiology, Nursing, or Ergonomics.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Opening ID
278370
Working Title
Occupational Health and Safety Intern
Job Title
PROGRAM STAFF (TEMP)
Work Location
Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Organizational Group
Um Hospital
Department
MM Safety Management Services
Posting Begin/End Date
6/08/2026 - 7/08/2026
Career Interest
Temporary Job Opening
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Mission Statement
The mission of SMS is to support the Michigan Medicine mission and operations through partnership, guidance, and education to promote health, safety, protection of the environment, and regulatory compliance. SMS programs will incorporate the values of quality, responsibility, accountability, trust, clear communication, diversity, flexibility, and respect in all our actions.
Job Summary
The Michigan Medicine Safety Management Services department (SMS) promotes health, safety, and environmental compliance within the Michigan Medicine community. At Michigan Medicine, protection of the environment and safety on the job is everyone's responsibility. SMS provides leadership at all levels of the university to maintain a healthy workplace and to protect the environment.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Occupational Health and Safety intern is to gain an overview of our services. Observe, learn, and participate in all areas of our ergonomics program, including office ergonomics and safe patient handling and mobility.
Required Qualifications
- Enrolled in or graduated from a related bachelor's degree program.
- Must be able to wear protective equipment (PPE) and have no lifting, walking or breathing restrictions.
- Ability to use various electronic and mechanical devices and tools.
- Ability to work in laboratory or clinical environments.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
- Experience using a computer and tablet for basic functions like email, scheduling, and reports.
Desired Qualifications
Experience or coursework in Industrial Hygiene, injury investigation, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiology, Nursing, or Ergonomics.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Opening ID
278370
Working Title
Occupational Health and Safety Intern
Job Title
PROGRAM STAFF (TEMP)
Work Location
Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Organizational Group
Um Hospital
Department
MM Safety Management Services
Posting Begin/End Date
6/08/2026 - 7/08/2026
Career Interest
Temporary Job Opening
See all J-1 Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Occupational Therapist
Verify your credential equivalency before applying
Many host employers require NBCOT certification or state licensure eligibility before extending an offer. Confirm your foreign OT degree meets U.S. equivalency standards early, since credential review can take months and delays the DS-2019 issuance timeline.
Target host employers with existing J-1 infrastructure
Academic medical centers, university-affiliated rehabilitation hospitals, and Veterans Affairs facilities have designated J-1 visa compliance staff on-site. These institutions process training plans and SEVIS reporting routinely, making them far smoother host environments than smaller private clinics.
Search J-1-aligned OT roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for occupational therapist roles at employers familiar with exchange visitor programs. Targeting hosts with J-1 experience reduces the time between offer and DS-2019 issuance through your designated sponsor organization.
Build a detailed individualized training plan
The Trainee category requires a structured training plan specifying clinical rotations, supervision hours, and learning objectives by month. Your designated sponsor reviews this document before issuing the DS-2019, so vague or generic plans are routinely sent back for revision.
Clarify the two-year home residency rule upfront
If your home country government or an exchange program funded your J-1, you face a two-year home residency requirement before changing to most other visa categories. Confirm your specific DS-2019 annotations with your sponsor before negotiating long-term employment terms with the host.
Align your program end date with licensure timelines
J-1 Trainee programs are capped at 18 months for fields like occupational therapy. Coordinate your training program's end date with the state licensure board's processing window so your supervised hours are completed and documented before your DS-2019 expires.
Occupational Therapist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits occupational therapists?
Most occupational therapists enter on the Trainee category, which covers post-degree professionals gaining supervised clinical or research experience in their field. If you hold a faculty or research position at a U.S. academic institution, the Research Scholar or Professor category may apply instead. Current OT students completing a fieldwork rotation may qualify under the Intern category, which requires active enrollment.
Who actually sponsors a J-1 visa for an OT position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, not your employer. The hospital or rehabilitation center where you work is the host site. Your designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 form, monitors your SEVIS record, and signs off on the training plan. The host employer cannot sponsor the J-1 directly.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 occupational therapists?
Search for OT roles specifically at academic medical centers, VA hospitals, and university-affiliated rehabilitation programs, since these institutions have existing J-1 compliance processes. Migrate Mate lets you filter for occupational therapist positions at employers familiar with exchange visitor hosting, which shortens the time between offer and DS-2019 issuance through your designated sponsor.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect OT J-1 holders?
It depends on your DS-2019 annotations. If your J-1 was funded by your home government or an official exchange program, or if your home country is on the State Department's skills list for occupational therapy, you may be subject to the requirement. This means you'd need to return home for two years, or obtain a waiver, before changing to H-1B visa or green card status. Check your DS-2019 before negotiating any post-program arrangements.
How long can an occupational therapist stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Trainee visa?
The Trainee category allows a maximum of 18 months for occupational therapy, which falls under fields requiring a degree and professional training. Extensions within that ceiling are possible if your designated sponsor approves a revised training plan. After the 18-month cap, you cannot extend in the same category and must change status or depart before re-entering on a different visa classification.