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 JobsRecruitment Incentive Bonus: may be eligible for $3,000 recruitment incentive bonus based on eligibility requirements.
Job Summary: The Physical Therapist assesses, plans, implements prescribed physical therapy treatments and supervises individual patient care. Provides quality services autonomously in a Hospital setting. Assists patients to prevent disability and aims toward the promotion of maximal patient/caregiver participation. Is responsible for recovery program following disease, injury, surgery or loss of a body part. Provides care according to Physical Therapy, Medical Center policies and procedures and the application of treatment techniques in accordance with discipline specific designated practice act. Provides in-patients services under physician's orders. Supervises Physical Therapy Assistant upon request. Participates in case conferences and discharge planning meetings and coordinates with Case Manager for the patient who may continue to require Physical Therapy services after hospital discharge. These services may be provided for both LLUMC and LLUCH based upon adult or pediatric assignment. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Graduate from an accredited Physical Therapy program required. If assigned to NICU departments, minimum two years of post-graduate pediatric experience required.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrates the ability to meet Department documentation standards and regulation requirements.
- Able to read; write legibly; speak in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer and software programs necessary to the position; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment.
- Able to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate; accept direction.
- Able to communicate effectively in English in person, in writing, and on the telephone; think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail.
- Able to distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to position; discern temperature variances through touch.
Licensures and Certifications: Currently licensed by the Physical Therapy Board of California and California Children's Services (CCS) paneled if work on Pediatric Rehabilitation or CCS paneling within twelve months hired in to Pediatric Program. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.
Recruitment Incentive Bonus: may be eligible for $3,000 recruitment incentive bonus based on eligibility requirements.
Job Summary: The Physical Therapist assesses, plans, implements prescribed physical therapy treatments and supervises individual patient care. Provides quality services autonomously in a Hospital setting. Assists patients to prevent disability and aims toward the promotion of maximal patient/caregiver participation. Is responsible for recovery program following disease, injury, surgery or loss of a body part. Provides care according to Physical Therapy, Medical Center policies and procedures and the application of treatment techniques in accordance with discipline specific designated practice act. Provides in-patients services under physician's orders. Supervises Physical Therapy Assistant upon request. Participates in case conferences and discharge planning meetings and coordinates with Case Manager for the patient who may continue to require Physical Therapy services after hospital discharge. These services may be provided for both LLUMC and LLUCH based upon adult or pediatric assignment. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Graduate from an accredited Physical Therapy program required. If assigned to NICU departments, minimum two years of post-graduate pediatric experience required.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrates the ability to meet Department documentation standards and regulation requirements.
- Able to read; write legibly; speak in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer and software programs necessary to the position; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment.
- Able to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate; accept direction.
- Able to communicate effectively in English in person, in writing, and on the telephone; think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail.
- Able to distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to position; discern temperature variances through touch.
Licensures and Certifications: Currently licensed by the Physical Therapy Board of California and California Children's Services (CCS) paneled if work on Pediatric Rehabilitation or CCS paneling within twelve months hired in to Pediatric Program. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.
See all 4,684+ 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.