OPT Orthopedic Physician Assistant Jobs
Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with a PA degree and NCCPA certification. Most roles require state licensure, which can affect your start date, so factor that into your OPT timeline. Standard OPT gives you 12 months; STEM OPT extension is not available for PA programs.
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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 Physician Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Apply before your OPT start date
State PA licensure can take 6 to 12 weeks after graduation. Start your license application immediately after passing the PANCE so your authorization is in place before your OPT work period begins and you avoid losing authorized days.
Target orthopedic surgery groups and hospital systems
Large hospital systems and orthopedic surgery practices are more likely to have HR infrastructure for sponsoring work visas. Independent single-physician offices rarely have experience with H-1B visa or TN visa sponsorship and may decline without a clear process in place.
Know your visa path before your 12 months run out
PA roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a master's degree in a specific field. Confirm your employer is willing to file an H-1B petition well before your OPT expires, as USCIS processing timelines require early planning.
Understand that STEM OPT does not apply to PA programs
Physician Assistant programs are classified under health sciences, not STEM fields eligible for the 24-month extension. Your OPT window is 12 months. Factor this hard deadline into every job offer negotiation and visa sponsorship conversation with employers.
Highlight your NCCPA certification prominently
Orthopedic employers expect active NCCPA certification as a baseline requirement. Leading your resume and cover letter with your certification status and CAQ in orthopedics, if applicable, removes a common employer concern about international candidate qualifications early in the screening process.
Ask about sponsorship intent during the first interview
Do not wait until an offer is extended to raise visa sponsorship. Ask directly whether the employer has sponsored H-1B or other work visas before. An employer with no prior experience may still sponsor, but you need lead time to educate them.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Orthopedic Physician Assistant roles qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. If your degree is in Physician Assistant Studies or a closely related health sciences field, you can work as an Orthopedic PA under standard OPT for up to 12 months. The role must be directly related to your field of study, which is straightforward for PA graduates entering clinical practice.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Physician Assistant graduates?
No. PA programs are classified under health sciences, not STEM, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension does not apply. You have 12 months of standard OPT. After that, you need a different work authorization category, most commonly an H-1B visa sponsored by your employer. Planning for this transition early is essential.
Does an Orthopedic PA role qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Yes. Physician Assistant is a recognized H-1B specialty occupation because it requires a specific master's-level degree and active NCCPA certification. Orthopedic practices and hospital systems have successfully sponsored PAs under H-1B. Your employer needs to file a Labor Condition Application with the DOL and submit an I-129 petition to USCIS on your behalf.
How does state licensure affect my OPT start date as an international PA?
State PA licensure typically takes 6 to 12 weeks after passing the PANCE, and most employers cannot allow you to work without it. If your OPT authorization is approved before your license arrives, those days still count against your 12-month window. Apply for licensure immediately after graduation to minimize the gap between OPT start and actual work start.
Where can I find Orthopedic Physician Assistant jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Browsing Orthopedic PA listings on Migrate Mate helps you focus your applications on employers already familiar with OPT and H-1B sponsorship, rather than spending time on roles where sponsorship is not on the table.