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.
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Get Access To All JobsWhat We Offer:
This PA will support our total joint surgeon. Surgical experience required, Total joint hip and Knee preferred. The team member’s Number One job responsibility is to deliver the most remarkable patient experience, in every dimension, every time, and understands how to contribute to the health system’s vision of achieving that commitment to patients and families. At Novant Health, people are our business. We treat each other with respect and compassion. We embrace the differences in our strengths while fostering an environment of inclusion, empowerment, inspiration and courage. The team member will use Novant Health’s First Do No Harm (NHFDNH) safety behaviors/error prevention tools and high reliability strategies as appropriate to ensure a safe, remarkable patient experience. Come join a remarkable team where quality care meets quality service, in every dimension, every time. #JoinTeamAubergine #NovantHealth #NHMGAPPs Let Novant Health be the destination for your professional growth.
What We're Looking For:
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Education: Graduate Degree, required. Graduate of an NCCPA accredited physician assistant program, required.
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Experience: One to three years of experience working in a physician practice setting, preferred.
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Licensure/Certification:
- Current PA license in appropriate state, required.
- NCCPA Certification and current DEA registry, required.
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Additional Skills Required: Ability to successfully complete generic and department-specific skills validation and competency testing. Ability to work with management team and physicians; demonstrated customer service skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills.
What You'll Do:
It is the responsibility of every Novant Health team member to deliver the most remarkable patient experience in every dimension, every time. Our team members are part of an environment that fosters teamwork, team member engagement and community involvement.
-
The successful team member has a commitment to leveraging diversity and inclusion in support of quality care.
-
All Novant Health team members are responsible for fostering a safe patient environment driven by the principles of "First Do No Harm".
What We Offer:
This PA will support our total joint surgeon. Surgical experience required, Total joint hip and Knee preferred. The team member’s Number One job responsibility is to deliver the most remarkable patient experience, in every dimension, every time, and understands how to contribute to the health system’s vision of achieving that commitment to patients and families. At Novant Health, people are our business. We treat each other with respect and compassion. We embrace the differences in our strengths while fostering an environment of inclusion, empowerment, inspiration and courage. The team member will use Novant Health’s First Do No Harm (NHFDNH) safety behaviors/error prevention tools and high reliability strategies as appropriate to ensure a safe, remarkable patient experience. Come join a remarkable team where quality care meets quality service, in every dimension, every time. #JoinTeamAubergine #NovantHealth #NHMGAPPs Let Novant Health be the destination for your professional growth.
What We're Looking For:
-
Education: Graduate Degree, required. Graduate of an NCCPA accredited physician assistant program, required.
-
Experience: One to three years of experience working in a physician practice setting, preferred.
-
Licensure/Certification:
- Current PA license in appropriate state, required.
- NCCPA Certification and current DEA registry, required.
-
Additional Skills Required: Ability to successfully complete generic and department-specific skills validation and competency testing. Ability to work with management team and physicians; demonstrated customer service skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills.
What You'll Do:
It is the responsibility of every Novant Health team member to deliver the most remarkable patient experience in every dimension, every time. Our team members are part of an environment that fosters teamwork, team member engagement and community involvement.
-
The successful team member has a commitment to leveraging diversity and inclusion in support of quality care.
-
All Novant Health team members are responsible for fostering a safe patient environment driven by the principles of "First Do No Harm".
See all 100+ OPT Orthopedic Physical Therapist Jobs
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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.