OPT Physical Therapist Jobs
Physical Therapist roles on OPT require active state licensure, which means passing the NPTE before you can work clinically. Most employers sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, and STEM OPT extension is not available for this field since Physical Therapy falls under a non-STEM CIP code.
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Get Access To All JobsFacility Name: Kindred Hospital Bay Area - St. Petersburg LTAC
Schedule: PRN (as needed)
Your experience matters
Lifepoint Rehabilitation is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Physical Therapist joining our team, you’re embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.
More about our team
Patients come to our specialty hospitals with serious conditions such as respiratory failure, complex wounds, sepsis, stroke, congestive heart failure, or even a combination of these. Their diagnoses are often complicated by existing health problems like diabetes or COPD. Many of our patients require treatments such as mechanical ventilation, respiratory therapy, dialysis, or IV therapy.
How you’ll contribute
A Physical Therapist who excels in this role:
- Conduct physical therapy assessments and develop treatment plans.
- Provide direct patient care to restore strength, mobility, and function.
- Educate patients and caregivers on home exercise programs.
- Document treatment sessions and patient outcomes accurately.
- Collaborate with rehab teams and participate in discharge planning.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Why join us
We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:
- Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage tailored benefit options for part-time and PRN employees, and more.
- Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
- Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
- Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
- Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.
What we’re looking for
- Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program
- Current and unrestricted Physical Therapy license in the state of FL
- Current CPR certification
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Connect with a Recruiter
Not ready to complete an application, or have questions? Please contact Fomeika Ingram by emailing at fomeika.ingram@lifepointhealth.net.
EEOC Statement
“Lifepoint Rehabilitation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Lifepoint Rehabilitation is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.”
We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life. We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve. Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.
Facility Name: Kindred Hospital Bay Area - St. Petersburg LTAC
Schedule: PRN (as needed)
Your experience matters
Lifepoint Rehabilitation is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Physical Therapist joining our team, you’re embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.
More about our team
Patients come to our specialty hospitals with serious conditions such as respiratory failure, complex wounds, sepsis, stroke, congestive heart failure, or even a combination of these. Their diagnoses are often complicated by existing health problems like diabetes or COPD. Many of our patients require treatments such as mechanical ventilation, respiratory therapy, dialysis, or IV therapy.
How you’ll contribute
A Physical Therapist who excels in this role:
- Conduct physical therapy assessments and develop treatment plans.
- Provide direct patient care to restore strength, mobility, and function.
- Educate patients and caregivers on home exercise programs.
- Document treatment sessions and patient outcomes accurately.
- Collaborate with rehab teams and participate in discharge planning.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Why join us
We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:
- Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage tailored benefit options for part-time and PRN employees, and more.
- Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
- Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
- Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
- Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.
What we’re looking for
- Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program
- Current and unrestricted Physical Therapy license in the state of FL
- Current CPR certification
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Connect with a Recruiter
Not ready to complete an application, or have questions? Please contact Fomeika Ingram by emailing at fomeika.ingram@lifepointhealth.net.
EEOC Statement
“Lifepoint Rehabilitation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Lifepoint Rehabilitation is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment.”
We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life. We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve. Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.
See all 5,395+ OPT Physical Therapist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Physical Therapist
Obtain your state license before applying
Most PT employers won't consider candidates without an active state license. Pass the NPTE and complete your state's licensure application early. Licensure timelines vary by state, so start this process as soon as your program ends.
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Hospital systems, rehabilitation networks, and outpatient clinic groups file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Research which healthcare employers have sponsored foreign workers before. Migrate Mate surfaces PT roles from employers with known sponsorship track records.
Understand your 12-month OPT window
Physical Therapy is not a STEM-designated field, so you get 12 months of OPT, not 36. Time your job search accordingly and prioritize employers willing to file an H-1B petition before your OPT authorization expires.
Frame your clinical rotations as direct experience
Your doctoral clinical rotations count as professional experience. Present specific patient populations, treatment settings, and outcomes from your rotations. Employers evaluating new graduate PTs treat strong rotation experience as equivalent to prior employment.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship early in the process
Raise sponsorship in your first recruiter conversation, not after an offer. This filters out employers who won't sponsor and saves time. Most healthcare recruiters expect international candidates to ask and can answer directly.
Consider settings with higher sponsorship rates
Inpatient hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and large outpatient chains sponsor more frequently than small private practices. Smaller clinics often lack the legal infrastructure to file H-1B petitions, making them a riskier option on OPT.
Physical Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Physical Therapist on OPT without a state license?
No. Every state requires a valid PT license before you can practice clinically, and OPT work authorization does not override state licensing law. You must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and complete your state's application process before starting employment. Some states allow you to work under a temporary license while your permanent application is pending, but confirm this with your state licensing board before accepting any offer.
Is Physical Therapy eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Physical Therapy programs are classified under a non-STEM CIP code, so graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have a single 12-month OPT period to find and start a qualifying job, which makes it important to begin your search and H-1B conversations early. Use Migrate Mate to identify PT employers that are actively willing to sponsor.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor a Physical Therapist on H-1B after OPT?
Large hospital systems, national rehabilitation chains, and university health centers are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Physical Therapists. They have established immigration legal support and file petitions routinely. Small private practices and solo clinics rarely sponsor because the legal process is costly and unfamiliar to them. Filtering your search to larger healthcare employers significantly improves your odds of finding a sponsorship-willing role.
Can I do travel PT contracts on OPT?
Travel PT contracts are generally short-term placements arranged through staffing agencies, which creates complications for OPT. Your OPT employer of record must match the employer listed on your EAD, and frequent site changes may conflict with your authorized employment terms. Before accepting a travel contract, confirm with your DSO that the staffing agency qualifies as your OPT employer and that the arrangement meets USCIS practical training requirements.
What happens to my OPT status if my PT job offer is rescinded before I start?
If a job offer is rescinded before you begin work, you enter a period of unemployment counted against your OPT. F-1 students on post-completion OPT have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit. Report the change to your DSO immediately so they can update your SEVIS record. If you need to find a new PT role quickly, Migrate Mate can help you identify employers with open positions and active sponsorship interest.