Certified Athletic Trainer Jobs for OPT Students
Certified Athletic Trainer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students who hold a CAATE-accredited degree. Most roles require BOC certification, which directly satisfies OPT's requirement that work be related to your major field of study. STEM OPT extension is not available for Athletic Training programs.
See All Certified Athletic Trainer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 61+ Certified Athletic Trainer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 61+ Certified Athletic Trainer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Certified Athletic Trainer roles.
Get Access To All JobsPart-Time Certified Athletic Trainer (2 Positions Available)
Location: AZ Compass Prep – Chandler, Arizona
Position Type: Part-Time (Approximately 30 hours per week, on-site)
Start Date: June 2026
Compensation: $30–$35 per hour
Benefits: Benefits for employees working 30 or more hours consistently
Additional Opportunities: Additional hours may be available through Compass Sports Performance
About the Opportunity:
AZ Compass Prep is seeking two Certified Athletic Trainers to join our growing sports medicine team. These positions will work closely with the Head Athletic Trainer to support the health, safety, and performance of our student-athletes.
Our sports medicine department emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and professional development. Athletic trainers will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with competitive athletic programs while developing their clinical and leadership skills in a supportive team environment.
Staff may also have the opportunity to gain additional experience and hours through Compass Sports Performance, working alongside strength and performance professionals.
Available Positions
Position 1: Football / Baseball Focus
This athletic trainer will primarily provide coverage for:
- Football (Fall Season)
- Baseball (Spring Season)
Secondary responsibilities may include coverage of additional sports as needed.
Opportunities for team travel with both football and baseball programs may be available.
Position 2: Basketball Programs Focus
This athletic trainer will primarily assist with coverage for our national basketball programs, working closely with the Head Athletic Trainer to support high-level basketball athletes.
Secondary responsibilities will include coverage of additional sports programs throughout the year.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide athletic training coverage for assigned sports practices and competitions
- Evaluate, treat, and manage athletic injuries
- Develop and implement rehabilitation and return-to-play programs
- Implement injury prevention strategies
- Communicate athlete health and participation status with coaching staff
- Maintain accurate injury documentation and treatment records
- Collaborate with the Head Athletic Trainer and performance staff
- Assist with team travel when applicable
Professional Development Opportunities
- Mentorship within a collaborative sports medicine team
- Experience working with competitive and national-level athletic programs
- Collaboration with strength and performance professionals
- Opportunities to expand experience through Compass Sports Performance
Qualifications
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
- Eligible for or currently holding Arizona athletic training licensure
- Current CPR/AED certification
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work varied hours including mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through Bamboo application portal.
Part-Time Certified Athletic Trainer (2 Positions Available)
Location: AZ Compass Prep – Chandler, Arizona
Position Type: Part-Time (Approximately 30 hours per week, on-site)
Start Date: June 2026
Compensation: $30–$35 per hour
Benefits: Benefits for employees working 30 or more hours consistently
Additional Opportunities: Additional hours may be available through Compass Sports Performance
About the Opportunity:
AZ Compass Prep is seeking two Certified Athletic Trainers to join our growing sports medicine team. These positions will work closely with the Head Athletic Trainer to support the health, safety, and performance of our student-athletes.
Our sports medicine department emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and professional development. Athletic trainers will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with competitive athletic programs while developing their clinical and leadership skills in a supportive team environment.
Staff may also have the opportunity to gain additional experience and hours through Compass Sports Performance, working alongside strength and performance professionals.
Available Positions
Position 1: Football / Baseball Focus
This athletic trainer will primarily provide coverage for:
- Football (Fall Season)
- Baseball (Spring Season)
Secondary responsibilities may include coverage of additional sports as needed.
Opportunities for team travel with both football and baseball programs may be available.
Position 2: Basketball Programs Focus
This athletic trainer will primarily assist with coverage for our national basketball programs, working closely with the Head Athletic Trainer to support high-level basketball athletes.
Secondary responsibilities will include coverage of additional sports programs throughout the year.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide athletic training coverage for assigned sports practices and competitions
- Evaluate, treat, and manage athletic injuries
- Develop and implement rehabilitation and return-to-play programs
- Implement injury prevention strategies
- Communicate athlete health and participation status with coaching staff
- Maintain accurate injury documentation and treatment records
- Collaborate with the Head Athletic Trainer and performance staff
- Assist with team travel when applicable
Professional Development Opportunities
- Mentorship within a collaborative sports medicine team
- Experience working with competitive and national-level athletic programs
- Collaboration with strength and performance professionals
- Opportunities to expand experience through Compass Sports Performance
Qualifications
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
- Eligible for or currently holding Arizona athletic training licensure
- Current CPR/AED certification
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work varied hours including mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through Bamboo application portal.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Certified Athletic Trainer
Target employers with established BOC hiring pipelines
Professional sports organizations, Division I universities, and large hospital systems hire BOC-certified athletic trainers regularly and are more familiar with OPT work authorization than smaller clinics or high school programs. Start your search there.
Confirm your role satisfies OPT's field-of-study requirement
Your position must be directly related to your Athletic Training degree. Roles blending personal training, general fitness coaching, or administrative duties may not qualify. Review your job description carefully before accepting an offer and consult your DSO.
Get your BOC certification before your OPT start date
Most employers won't extend an offer without active BOC credentials. Sitting for the exam while your OPT application is pending is common, but confirm your exam date gives enough time to receive results before your employment start date.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship early in the interview process
Athletic Training roles can qualify under H-1B specialty occupation rules, but not every employer is prepared to sponsor. Raising the question during your second interview, not your first, lets you assess fit before making sponsorship the centerpiece of negotiations.
Track your OPT end date against state licensure timelines
Several states require separate licensure beyond BOC certification, with processing windows of four to twelve weeks. If your state license arrives after your OPT expires, you cannot legally practice. Apply for licensure as early as your state allows.
Browse Migrate Mate for OPT-friendly Athletic Trainer openings
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, saving you time you'd otherwise spend vetting employers for sponsorship awareness. Use it to identify openings at organizations that have hired international candidates before.
Certified Athletic Trainer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Certified Athletic Trainer JobsSee all 61+ Certified Athletic Trainer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Certified Athletic Trainer roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Athletic Trainer on OPT?
Yes, as long as your position is directly related to your Athletic Training degree and you hold active BOC certification. OPT requires that employment be in your field of study, so roles that are primarily administrative or outside clinical athletic training would not qualify. Confirm the job description with your DSO before starting.
Is Athletic Training eligible for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
No. Athletic Training programs are classified under CIP code 51.0913, which is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. That means your OPT period is limited to 12 months. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after OPT expires, your employer will need to sponsor an H-1B or another visa category.
Do Athletic Trainer roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
They can, but it requires the employer to demonstrate that the position is a specialty occupation requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Because BOC certification and an accredited degree are required by most states to practice, the specialty occupation argument is generally supportable. Not all employers, particularly smaller clinics, are experienced with the H-1B process.
How do I find employers open to hiring OPT students as Athletic Trainers?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Athletic Trainer openings from employers who are familiar with work authorization requirements. Larger employers in professional sports, collegiate athletics, and hospital networks tend to have HR teams experienced with international hiring. Targeting those sectors improves your odds of a straightforward sponsorship conversation.
What happens if my state athletic training license is delayed past my OPT end date?
You cannot practice without both active OPT authorization and a valid state license. If your license processing runs past your OPT expiration, you must stop working until your next work authorization is in place. Apply for state licensure as soon as you're eligible, track the processing window for your specific state, and flag any delays to your DSO immediately.
See which Certified Athletic Trainer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Certified Athletic Trainer Jobs