OPT Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
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 JobsCERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA)
Location: Bamberg and Barnwell SC
Schedule: PRN THERAPY SERVICES
Join the PruittHealth family, where the health and safety of our workforce is our top priority! We're not only committed to your career, we're committed to the health and safety of all our therapists. Now is a great time to make a change and join one of the leading providers of post-acute care.
PruittHealth will help you conquer your career goals. At PruittHealth, we are searching for therapists who are committed to serving our residents with care and compassion, and in return, we are committed to supporting your therapy career through annual merit increases, career growth programs, preceptorship, and more.
Investing in Our Employee-Partners with Benefits
- Advanced pay option
- Annual merit increases
- Relocation opportunities
- Paid onboarding & orientation
- Preceptorship Program & hands-on training
- 24 / 7 direct hotline support
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Access to PruittHealth Foundation & PruittHealth University resources
- Comprehensive health plans
Responsibilities
- Assist in the execution of the occupational therapy care plan and treatment to patients as prescribed by the evaluating therapist and physician according to the State Practice Acts
- Perform clinical tasks, and communicate and document tasks in a timely and accurate manner
- Follow established policies and procedures as related to the scope of practice
- Recognize and respond to priorities in patient care
- Complete all required orientation, in-services, and trainings successfully
- Perform other related duties as necessary and as directed by supervisor
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid professional license in the state of practice
- Graduate of ACOTE accredited school and eligible to take or has passed the NBCOT exam. If foreign-trained, must meet the same qualifications as U.S. educational program requirements
Family Makes Us Stronger. Our family, your family, one family. Committed to loving, giving, and caring. United in making a difference.
We are eager to connect with you! Apply Now to get started at PruittHealth!
As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
For Florida Job Postings Only:
For more information regarding Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA)
Location: Bamberg and Barnwell SC
Schedule: PRN THERAPY SERVICES
Join the PruittHealth family, where the health and safety of our workforce is our top priority! We're not only committed to your career, we're committed to the health and safety of all our therapists. Now is a great time to make a change and join one of the leading providers of post-acute care.
PruittHealth will help you conquer your career goals. At PruittHealth, we are searching for therapists who are committed to serving our residents with care and compassion, and in return, we are committed to supporting your therapy career through annual merit increases, career growth programs, preceptorship, and more.
Investing in Our Employee-Partners with Benefits
- Advanced pay option
- Annual merit increases
- Relocation opportunities
- Paid onboarding & orientation
- Preceptorship Program & hands-on training
- 24 / 7 direct hotline support
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Access to PruittHealth Foundation & PruittHealth University resources
- Comprehensive health plans
Responsibilities
- Assist in the execution of the occupational therapy care plan and treatment to patients as prescribed by the evaluating therapist and physician according to the State Practice Acts
- Perform clinical tasks, and communicate and document tasks in a timely and accurate manner
- Follow established policies and procedures as related to the scope of practice
- Recognize and respond to priorities in patient care
- Complete all required orientation, in-services, and trainings successfully
- Perform other related duties as necessary and as directed by supervisor
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid professional license in the state of practice
- Graduate of ACOTE accredited school and eligible to take or has passed the NBCOT exam. If foreign-trained, must meet the same qualifications as U.S. educational program requirements
Family Makes Us Stronger. Our family, your family, one family. Committed to loving, giving, and caring. United in making a difference.
We are eager to connect with you! Apply Now to get started at PruittHealth!
As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
For Florida Job Postings Only:
For more information regarding Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com
See all 162+ OPT Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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 OPT: Frequently 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.