OPT Performer Jobs
Performer roles in the U.S. span theater, dance, live entertainment, and themed attractions. On OPT, you can work full-time in any qualifying performance position tied to your field of study. STEM OPT doesn't apply here, so your initial 12-month authorization window is what you're working with.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Houston Methodist, the Music Therapist position is credentialed and board certified and is responsible for applying the principles and techniques of their respective modality to patient care in order to treat and rehabilitate people with mental, physical and emotional needs. This position will conduct assessments, observations and treatments in both individual and group settings, document findings and recommendations in the medical record, and participate in treatment team meetings. The Music Therapist position provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. This position assists with collection of quality metrics and analytics, with development of best practices and process improvement initiatives, as designated.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
One year experience providing music therapy in medical population or two years experience providing music therapy in other populations
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
MT-BC - Music Therapist Board Certification (CBMT) - Certification Board for Music Therapists
BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Exhibits excellent delivery of customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain highly effective professional relationships with physicians
Ability to work independently
Completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy through the Robert F Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy for positions in rehabilitation settings
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and leads to the team to be a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
- Responds positively to requests for assistance from customers, employees and visitors, using clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution.
- Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for retention/employee engagement, using peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Utilizes music therapy as part of patient’s complete and comprehensive evaluation to identify patient’s level of function, develop the plan of care and improve issues with emotional, psychological and cognitive well-being.
- Provides education to staff, patients and family members about music therapy services and relevant research through formal in-services and informal daily interactions.
- Coordinates aspects of patient care and development into the population-specific program through personalized interaction.
- Organizes and completes work efforts, as appropriate, to ensure the best possible delivery of service, contributing towards improving scores for patient satisfaction.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Documents clinical interactions in the electronic medical record system.
- Maintains a safe environment, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and HIPAA.
- Participates in patient or team conferences in order to learn about discharge plans, treatment goals and medical concerns from the treatment team, and in order to contribute relevant progress and concerns from creative arts therapies perspective.
- Communicates team resource and performance improvement needs to ensure quality and customer service standards, impacting quality and safety department and hospital targets.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient interventions and education performed in a timely manner in the medical record. Accurately enters charges for services provided, as applicable.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports hospital and department goals by offering innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education, completing and updating the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call: No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
INTRODUCTION
At Houston Methodist, the Music Therapist position is credentialed and board certified and is responsible for applying the principles and techniques of their respective modality to patient care in order to treat and rehabilitate people with mental, physical and emotional needs. This position will conduct assessments, observations and treatments in both individual and group settings, document findings and recommendations in the medical record, and participate in treatment team meetings. The Music Therapist position provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. This position assists with collection of quality metrics and analytics, with development of best practices and process improvement initiatives, as designated.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
One year experience providing music therapy in medical population or two years experience providing music therapy in other populations
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
MT-BC - Music Therapist Board Certification (CBMT) - Certification Board for Music Therapists
BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Exhibits excellent delivery of customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain highly effective professional relationships with physicians
Ability to work independently
Completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy through the Robert F Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy for positions in rehabilitation settings
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and leads to the team to be a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
- Responds positively to requests for assistance from customers, employees and visitors, using clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution.
- Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for retention/employee engagement, using peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Utilizes music therapy as part of patient’s complete and comprehensive evaluation to identify patient’s level of function, develop the plan of care and improve issues with emotional, psychological and cognitive well-being.
- Provides education to staff, patients and family members about music therapy services and relevant research through formal in-services and informal daily interactions.
- Coordinates aspects of patient care and development into the population-specific program through personalized interaction.
- Organizes and completes work efforts, as appropriate, to ensure the best possible delivery of service, contributing towards improving scores for patient satisfaction.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Documents clinical interactions in the electronic medical record system.
- Maintains a safe environment, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and HIPAA.
- Participates in patient or team conferences in order to learn about discharge plans, treatment goals and medical concerns from the treatment team, and in order to contribute relevant progress and concerns from creative arts therapies perspective.
- Communicates team resource and performance improvement needs to ensure quality and customer service standards, impacting quality and safety department and hospital targets.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient interventions and education performed in a timely manner in the medical record. Accurately enters charges for services provided, as applicable.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports hospital and department goals by offering innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education, completing and updating the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call: No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Performer
Match your performance work to your degree
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your field of study. A musical theater graduate can work as a stage performer, but document how the role connects to your program if DSO questions arise.
Understand how gig work affects OPT compliance
Performers often work multiple short-term contracts. Each engagement still counts as valid OPT employment as long as it relates to your degree. Track every contract, employer name, and performance date for your records.
Report employer changes to your DSO promptly
Switching from one production company to another requires updating your SEVIS record. Notify your DSO within 10 days of any employer change to stay compliant and avoid jeopardizing your OPT authorization status.
Freelance and self-employment count as valid OPT work
Independent performer contracts, residencies, and self-produced shows qualify under OPT self-employment rules. Keep detailed documentation of your engagements, client agreements, and how each project relates to your degree field.
Watch the unemployment day limit closely
OPT allows a maximum of 90 unemployment days on post-completion authorization. Performance work is often seasonal, so track gaps between contracts carefully and prioritize lining up your next engagement before the current one ends.
Start your H-1B or O-1 planning before OPT expires
Performers with exceptional ability may qualify for the O-1B visa, which has no lottery. Begin gathering evidence of awards, critical recognition, and contracts well before your OPT window closes to avoid a status gap.
Performer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Performer jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, as long as the performance work is directly related to your field of study. A dance or theater graduate performing professionally qualifies. Roles in unrelated fields do not. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific position meets the requirement before you accept an offer.
Can I work as a freelance or contract performer on OPT?
Yes. OPT allows self-employment and independent contracting. You don't need a single full-time employer. What matters is that your work relates to your degree and that you're actively engaged, not sitting in a prolonged gap between contracts. Keep records of every project to document your employment history.
Where can I find Performer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship and work authorization. Browsing Migrate Mate for Performer roles saves time because you're not manually screening out positions that won't work with your OPT status.
What visa options do Performers have after OPT expires?
The O-1B visa is the most common long-term path for performers. It's designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts and has no lottery or annual cap. The H-1B visa is also possible but requires a sponsoring employer and lottery selection. Performers with strong track records of critical recognition, awards, or major engagements are often competitive for O-1B.
Does seasonal or part-time performance work count toward OPT employment?
Part-time work of at least 20 hours per week counts as valid OPT employment. Seasonal contracts count too, but gaps between engagements accumulate toward your 90-day unemployment limit. If you're between productions or touring seasons, those days count unless you're actively employed in another qualifying role.