OPT Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs
Orthopedic physical therapist jobs are among the more OPT-friendly roles in healthcare because most positions require a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard that many H-1B visa and STEM OPT employers look for. Your 12-month standard OPT window is enough to start, but a STEM extension is not available for DPT programs.
Find OPT Orthopedic Physical Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 93+ Orthopedic Physical Therapist jobs
See all 93+ Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Orthopedic Physical Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Description
Work Schedule: 1.0 FTE, full-time, day shift position. Weekly schedule will be Monday-Friday, between the hours of 7am-6:30pm. Hours could vary based on the operational needs of the department. You will work at our Science Drive Medical Center at 621 Science Dr, Madison, WI.
Be part of something remarkable
Find a fulfilling career helping patients improve their physical function and fitness. We are seeking a Physical Therapist - Orthopedics to:
- Treat general orthopedic/spine patients of all ages and guide patients through appropriate individualized rehabilitation programs to meet the goals and objectives of their plan of care.
- Provide consultative and rehabilitative treatment services to patients.
- Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to create comprehensive evidence-based treatment plans to maximize functional outcomes and plan of care.
- Seek continual learning opportunities to advance one’s own practice and educate others.
- Work within a large, dynamic rehabilitation team to continually provide exceptional patient and family centered care.
At UW Health, you will have:
- An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
- Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance.
- Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
- Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
- The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy Required
Work Experience
2 years of prior relevant experience Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensure as a Physical Therapist in the State of Wisconsin Upon Hire Required
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 3 months Required
Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging
UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
UW Health Science Drive Medical Center - on Madison’s west side, is an 84,000-square foot facility housing physician and rehabilitation professionals in Cardiology, Integrative Medicine, Orthopedics, Radiology, Spine and Sports Medicine. Our Fitness Center provides a resource for both working with patients while under our care and providing education after discharge. This environment creates many opportunities for face-to-face collaboration in the care of our patients.
Job Description
Work Schedule: 1.0 FTE, full-time, day shift position. Weekly schedule will be Monday-Friday, between the hours of 7am-6:30pm. Hours could vary based on the operational needs of the department. You will work at our Science Drive Medical Center at 621 Science Dr, Madison, WI.
Be part of something remarkable
Find a fulfilling career helping patients improve their physical function and fitness. We are seeking a Physical Therapist - Orthopedics to:
- Treat general orthopedic/spine patients of all ages and guide patients through appropriate individualized rehabilitation programs to meet the goals and objectives of their plan of care.
- Provide consultative and rehabilitative treatment services to patients.
- Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to create comprehensive evidence-based treatment plans to maximize functional outcomes and plan of care.
- Seek continual learning opportunities to advance one’s own practice and educate others.
- Work within a large, dynamic rehabilitation team to continually provide exceptional patient and family centered care.
At UW Health, you will have:
- An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
- Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance.
- Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
- Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
- The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy Required
Work Experience
2 years of prior relevant experience Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensure as a Physical Therapist in the State of Wisconsin Upon Hire Required
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 3 months Required
Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging
UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
UW Health Science Drive Medical Center - on Madison’s west side, is an 84,000-square foot facility housing physician and rehabilitation professionals in Cardiology, Integrative Medicine, Orthopedics, Radiology, Spine and Sports Medicine. Our Fitness Center provides a resource for both working with patients while under our care and providing education after discharge. This environment creates many opportunities for face-to-face collaboration in the care of our patients.
See all 93+ OPT Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Target outpatient orthopedic clinics, not just hospitals
Large hospital systems have HR departments familiar with visa sponsorship. But multi-location outpatient orthopedic groups often sponsor too, and face less competition for licensed DPT candidates. Both are worth pursuing systematically in your job search.
Get your state license before OPT starts
PT licensure timelines vary by state, some take two to three months after passing the NPTE. Applying for licensure before graduation keeps your OPT authorization from sitting unused while you wait to legally practice.
Lead with your DPT credential in every application
Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume international applicants need more immigration support than they do. Framing your DPT upfront signals a specialty occupation clearly and reduces the perceived complexity of sponsoring you.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting any offer
OPT lasts 12 months for DPT graduates. Confirm during the interview whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas before. A clinic with no sponsorship history is a real risk if you plan to stay long-term in the U.S.
Use your clinical rotation network to find sponsoring employers
Your clinical rotation sites already know your work quality. Supervisors from those placements can often refer you directly to hiring managers, bypassing the initial screening where OPT status sometimes causes early rejections.
Understand that OPT employment must match your DPT field
USCIS requires OPT work to be directly related to your degree program. A DPT working in a physical therapy role is clearly compliant. Non-clinical or administrative-only roles may not satisfy this requirement and could jeopardize your status.
Orthopedic Physical Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an orthopedic physical therapist on OPT without H-1B sponsorship yet?
Yes. OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization after graduation, during which you can work for any qualifying employer without the employer needing to file any visa petition. You do need an active EAD card and a state PT license before you begin treating patients. Sponsorship only becomes necessary if you want to stay beyond your OPT period.
Is a DPT degree considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Physical therapy is consistently recognized as a specialty occupation because the role requires at minimum a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in a specific field. This makes DPT graduates well-positioned for H-1B sponsorship compared to roles where degree requirements are more flexible. Employers experienced with healthcare visas will recognize this without much explanation from you.
Do orthopedic PT employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Sponsorship rates vary widely. Large hospital systems and multi-location rehabilitation networks are more likely to have established immigration processes. Smaller private practices often lack the HR infrastructure to navigate sponsorship. Browsing orthopedic physical therapist job listings on Migrate Mate lets you filter for employers who have a demonstrated history of hiring international candidates.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for DPT graduates?
No. The STEM OPT extension is only available to graduates of STEM-designated programs as defined by the Department of Homeland Security. Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are not on that list, so DPT graduates receive the standard 12-month OPT period only. Planning your H-1B sponsorship timeline around that 12-month window is essential.
Can I work at more than one orthopedic clinic on OPT?
Yes, OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each position is directly related to your DPT program. Many physical therapists work part-time at two or more outpatient sites. Each employer must be documented in your SEVP portal records, and each role must involve hands-on clinical work within the scope of physical therapy practice.