Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs on OPT require active NBCOT certification and state licensure, which most employers verify before extending an offer. STEM OPT extension does not apply to OTA roles, so your 12-month standard OPT window is what you have to work with from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsOccupational Therapy Assistant / COTA – Outpatient
Great Work/life Balance and Flexibility of hours
PRN Opportunities Available
Location: The Oaks, Georgetown, TX
Setting: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Outpatient
Lovely Community - Work with higher functioning residents
Schedule: Monday to Friday, No Weekends, No Evenings
With an Occupational Therapy Assistant Outpatient career, you get the best of both worlds: the chance to improve the lives of seniors while maintaining greater flexibility in your schedule. You’ll get to show off your outgoing personality and flex your business skills by helping market the clinic, create your own schedule and work independently.
Aegis Therapies, one of the nation’s leading providers of contract rehabilitation and wellness services, is hiring an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our supportive team and reap the benefits of some of the best career advantages in the industry.
Why Aegis Therapies:
- Career Growth & Development: We invest in your future with specialized, ongoing training, career advancement opportunities and the strongest clinical support in the industry.
- Flexibility - Redefining Work-life Balance: We offer you the opportunity to maintain flexibility and a healthy work-life balance, so you never have to choose between your career and the things that make life worth living.
- Impactful Work: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients.
- Supportive Environment: Collaborate with teams that value your expertise and dedication.
Benefits:
- Support, local clinical mentorship, clinical education and unlimited CEUs
- Leadership advancement opportunities
- Flexible schedule, paid time off, plus one paid CEU day
- Licensure and professional membership reimbursement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration for providing the best patient care
- Medical, dental, vision within 30 days or less
- National opportunity to transfer while maintaining employment status
- Multiple settings nationwide: CCRC, SNF, Assisted Living, Outpatient Clinics, Home Health
- New Grads Welcomed!
- And much more
You’ll treat residents Monday-Friday – no evenings or weekends!
Plus, you’ll treat residents in their room or in an on-site outpatient clinic so there’s no need to travel to homes outside the building. At Aegis Therapies, we take a patient-centered approach that ensures you’ll have the opportunity to truly make a difference. Apply today.
Qualifications
- Current license as Occupational Therapy Assistant or ability to obtain in the state of practice.
- Previous experience in outpatient, preferred.
Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA – Outpatient
Great Work/life Balance and Flexibility of hours
PRN Opportunities Available
Location: The Oaks, Georgetown, TX
Setting: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Outpatient
Lovely Community - Work with higher functioning residents
Schedule: Monday to Friday, No Weekends, No Evenings
With an Occupational Therapy Assistant Outpatient career, you get the best of both worlds: the chance to improve the lives of seniors while maintaining greater flexibility in your schedule. You’ll get to show off your outgoing personality and flex your business skills by helping market the clinic, create your own schedule and work independently.
Aegis Therapies, one of the nation’s leading providers of contract rehabilitation and wellness services, is hiring an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our supportive team and reap the benefits of some of the best career advantages in the industry.
Why Aegis Therapies:
- Career Growth & Development: We invest in your future with specialized, ongoing training, career advancement opportunities and the strongest clinical support in the industry.
- Flexibility - Redefining Work-life Balance: We offer you the opportunity to maintain flexibility and a healthy work-life balance, so you never have to choose between your career and the things that make life worth living.
- Impactful Work: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients.
- Supportive Environment: Collaborate with teams that value your expertise and dedication.
Benefits:
- Support, local clinical mentorship, clinical education and unlimited CEUs
- Leadership advancement opportunities
- Flexible schedule, paid time off, plus one paid CEU day
- Licensure and professional membership reimbursement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration for providing the best patient care
- Medical, dental, vision within 30 days or less
- National opportunity to transfer while maintaining employment status
- Multiple settings nationwide: CCRC, SNF, Assisted Living, Outpatient Clinics, Home Health
- New Grads Welcomed!
- And much more
You’ll treat residents Monday-Friday – no evenings or weekends!
Plus, you’ll treat residents in their room or in an on-site outpatient clinic so there’s no need to travel to homes outside the building. At Aegis Therapies, we take a patient-centered approach that ensures you’ll have the opportunity to truly make a difference. Apply today.
Qualifications
- Current license as Occupational Therapy Assistant or ability to obtain in the state of practice.
- Previous experience in outpatient, preferred.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Get your NBCOT certification before you apply
Most OTA employers require NBCOT certification as a condition of hire, not just a preference. Without it, your application won't move forward. Schedule your exam during your final semester so certification arrives before OPT begins.
Confirm state licensure requirements early
Every state has its own OTA licensure process, and some take eight to twelve weeks to complete. Apply for your state license the moment your NBCOT results are confirmed. Delays in licensure can eat into your authorized OPT work window.
Target healthcare systems that regularly hire internationally
Large hospital networks, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care chains tend to have established HR processes for work authorization paperwork. Smaller private clinics may be unfamiliar with OPT and hesitant to proceed, even when sponsorship isn't technically required.
Be explicit that OPT requires no employer sponsorship cost
Many hiring managers confuse OPT with H-1B sponsorship and assume there's a cost or legal burden attached. Clarify upfront, in writing if needed, that OPT authorization is your responsibility and involves no employer filing fees or immigration attorneys.
Start your job search at least three months before OPT begins
Between background checks, credentialing, and state licensure verification, healthcare hiring timelines run long. Applying three months out gives you room to clear those steps and begin working on day one of your authorized OPT period without gaps.
Apply to settings beyond hospitals and outpatient clinics
Schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric therapy practices all hire OTAs and often have more flexible credentialing timelines. Broadening your setting preferences increases the number of OPT-friendly opportunities you can realistically pursue.
Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant on OPT?
Yes, but your work must be directly related to your field of study. If you completed an OTA-accredited program, employment as an OTA satisfies the OPT requirement. You'll need a valid EAD card, active NBCOT certification, and a state license before you can legally practice in most states.
Does the OTA role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Occupational Therapy Assistant programs are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this field. You'll have 12 months of standard OPT work authorization. Planning your job search and H-1B sponsorship timeline around that 12-month window is essential.
Do OTA employers need to do anything special to hire me on OPT?
Employers are only required to complete Form I-9 employment verification, the same process they follow for any new hire. They don't file a petition, pay government fees, or engage an immigration attorney. Your EAD card is the work authorization document. Explaining this clearly upfront often resolves hesitation from employers unfamiliar with OPT.
Where can I find OTA jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists OTA roles from employers with documented experience hiring international candidates. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers narrows your search to organizations whose HR teams already understand work authorization documentation, which reduces friction during the offer and onboarding process.
What happens to my OPT status if I can't find an OTA job right away?
You're allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT. If you exceed that without authorized employment, your F-1 status is at risk. If you're struggling to find a role, document your active job search carefully and consult your Designated School Official as early as possible to understand your options.
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