OPT Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
Physical Therapist Assistant jobs on OPT require active APTA-recognized licensure in your state, making early license application critical before your work authorization start date. Most PTA roles qualify under STEM-adjacent healthcare SOC codes, and many hospital systems and outpatient clinics have established OPT hiring processes.
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Are you a Physical Therapist Assistant looking to thrive in a supportive, balanced environment? Join ATI, a leader in Outpatient Physical Therapy, where you’ll be part of a team redefining musculoskeletal (MSK) care. With a mission to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and empower clinicians to succeed, we provide the resources and opportunities to help you grow professionally and personally.
Why Choose ATI?
At ATI, you join a team at the forefront of MSK care, with a strong track record of outcomes, reputation, and growth opportunities.
- Award-Winning Outcomes: Recognized five years in a row in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), with a 90% patient satisfaction rate and a 74% Net Promoter Score.
- Outstanding Reputation: Our clinics average a 4.9 / 5 Google Review rating across locations, reflecting our commitment to exceptional care and patient experience.
- Certified Expertise: More than a decade of ABPTRFE-accredited Sports and Orthopedic Residencies (with a 96%+ first-time exam pass rate), plus an Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship with graduates serving across collegiate and professional sports.
- Research Leadership: Our partnering nonprofit, the Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement (iMSKA), contributes to the field with 10–15 published papers and 30+ scientific presentations each year.
- Community Impact: Through the ATI Foundation, we support individuals with physical disabilities in the communities we serve.
CLINICIAN SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
At ATI, we prioritize your growth, your well-being, and your ability to focus on patients.
- Collaborative Care: Work alongside various specialties with manageable caseloads.
- Commitment to Work–Life Balance: Spend less time on documentation with our proprietary EMR and Patient Management Tool, built by therapists for therapists to streamline workflows.
- Ongoing Learning: Access structured mentorship, residency programs, and leadership training.
- Comprehensive CEU Support: Take advantage of an external CEU benefit and 100’s of live and on-demand development sessions to stay at the forefront of evidence-based care.
BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS
We offer a competitive compensation package with an incentive plan, and comprehensive benefits, including:
- Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, holiday pay, CEU, and “Be Well Days” to recharge, prioritize mental and physical health.
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage: Flexible plan options.
- 401(k) Match: Competitive employer matching.
- Childcare Tuition Assistance: Discounted rates.
- Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts: Tax-saving options.
- Short- & Long-Term Disability: 100% employer paid income protection plans.
- Life Insurance: Employer-paid and voluntary options.
- Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance: Paid time for new parents and support for adoption costs.
- Wellness Programs: Including weight-loss and lifestyle coaching, digital mental-health support, and 24/7 virtual telehealth access.
- Corporate Discounts: Exclusive deals for employees.
- And more!
Responsibilities:
You will be empowered to make a difference for your patients: provide direct patient care and physical therapy treatments under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, while fostering a strong relationship with each patient to help them achieve their functional goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
- Current professional licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant or license eligible based on the rules and regulations of the state in which you are applying for role.
ATI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Join ATI and redefine what’s possible in MSK care.
LI-LF1
Virtual Employee?: No
Salary Range: $29-$35/hr
Location/Org Data: Dept Number: 7572
Overview:
Are you a Physical Therapist Assistant looking to thrive in a supportive, balanced environment? Join ATI, a leader in Outpatient Physical Therapy, where you’ll be part of a team redefining musculoskeletal (MSK) care. With a mission to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and empower clinicians to succeed, we provide the resources and opportunities to help you grow professionally and personally.
Why Choose ATI?
At ATI, you join a team at the forefront of MSK care, with a strong track record of outcomes, reputation, and growth opportunities.
- Award-Winning Outcomes: Recognized five years in a row in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), with a 90% patient satisfaction rate and a 74% Net Promoter Score.
- Outstanding Reputation: Our clinics average a 4.9 / 5 Google Review rating across locations, reflecting our commitment to exceptional care and patient experience.
- Certified Expertise: More than a decade of ABPTRFE-accredited Sports and Orthopedic Residencies (with a 96%+ first-time exam pass rate), plus an Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship with graduates serving across collegiate and professional sports.
- Research Leadership: Our partnering nonprofit, the Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement (iMSKA), contributes to the field with 10–15 published papers and 30+ scientific presentations each year.
- Community Impact: Through the ATI Foundation, we support individuals with physical disabilities in the communities we serve.
CLINICIAN SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
At ATI, we prioritize your growth, your well-being, and your ability to focus on patients.
- Collaborative Care: Work alongside various specialties with manageable caseloads.
- Commitment to Work–Life Balance: Spend less time on documentation with our proprietary EMR and Patient Management Tool, built by therapists for therapists to streamline workflows.
- Ongoing Learning: Access structured mentorship, residency programs, and leadership training.
- Comprehensive CEU Support: Take advantage of an external CEU benefit and 100’s of live and on-demand development sessions to stay at the forefront of evidence-based care.
BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS
We offer a competitive compensation package with an incentive plan, and comprehensive benefits, including:
- Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, holiday pay, CEU, and “Be Well Days” to recharge, prioritize mental and physical health.
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage: Flexible plan options.
- 401(k) Match: Competitive employer matching.
- Childcare Tuition Assistance: Discounted rates.
- Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts: Tax-saving options.
- Short- & Long-Term Disability: 100% employer paid income protection plans.
- Life Insurance: Employer-paid and voluntary options.
- Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance: Paid time for new parents and support for adoption costs.
- Wellness Programs: Including weight-loss and lifestyle coaching, digital mental-health support, and 24/7 virtual telehealth access.
- Corporate Discounts: Exclusive deals for employees.
- And more!
Responsibilities:
You will be empowered to make a difference for your patients: provide direct patient care and physical therapy treatments under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, while fostering a strong relationship with each patient to help them achieve their functional goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
- Current professional licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant or license eligible based on the rules and regulations of the state in which you are applying for role.
ATI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Join ATI and redefine what’s possible in MSK care.
LI-LF1
Virtual Employee?: No
Salary Range: $29-$35/hr
Location/Org Data: Dept Number: 7572
See all 1,093+ OPT Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Physical Therapist Assistant
Apply for state licensure before OPT begins
Each state has its own PTA licensure timeline, often 6 to 12 weeks. Submit your NPTE scores and application as early as possible so your license is active before your OPT employment start date. A license delay can push back your start date.
Target multi-site healthcare systems over small clinics
Large hospital networks and outpatient therapy chains employ HR teams familiar with OPT paperwork and I-20 requirements. Smaller solo practices often lack the administrative capacity to navigate work authorization, making them less likely to hire OPT students.
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension
PTA roles classified under SOC code 29-2052 may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is from a STEM-designated program. Verify your school's CIP code with your DSO before relying on this extension in job applications.
Address your OPT timeline early in the interview process
Bring up your authorization window during the first substantive conversation, not after an offer. Employers need to plan onboarding, credentialing, and scheduling around your start date. Proactive transparency avoids last-minute complications that can cost you the role.
Use clinical rotations to build a referral pipeline
Many PTA hires come from facilities where students completed their clinical education. Supervisors who have seen your work firsthand are far more willing to navigate OPT hiring than employers who only know you from a resume and interview.
Prioritize employers who have previously hired on OPT or H-1B
Past sponsorship history is the strongest signal an employer will hire on OPT again. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for physical therapy employers with documented work authorization experience, saving time on outreach to unprepared hiring teams.
Physical Therapist Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Physical Therapist Assistant on OPT without a state license?
No. Every state requires an active PTA license before you can practice clinically, regardless of your OPT status. Working without a license violates both state law and your OPT employment requirements. Apply to your state licensing board immediately after passing the NPTE and factor processing time, often 6 to 12 weeks, into your OPT start date planning.
Do Physical Therapist Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Possibly. PTA roles fall under SOC code 29-2052, and some accredited PTA programs carry STEM-designated CIP codes that make graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You need to confirm with your DSO whether your specific program qualifies. Not all PTA degrees are STEM-designated, so this is not guaranteed.
How do I find Physical Therapist Assistant employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Search Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces employers with experience hiring international candidates. Focus your outreach on large outpatient therapy chains, hospital-affiliated rehab departments, and skilled nursing facility networks, as these employers typically have HR infrastructure to support OPT and are accustomed to credentialing timelines.
What happens to my OPT if I lose my PTA job before my authorization period ends?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period during which you must find new authorized employment. For PTA roles, you must also ensure your state license remains in good standing, as some states require employer affiliation for license maintenance. Exceeding 90 total days of unemployment across your entire OPT period violates your status, so prioritize securing a new role quickly.
Can I work per diem or as a contractor as a Physical Therapist Assistant on OPT?
Yes, but with important restrictions. OPT work must be directly related to your degree field, at least 20 hours per week, and you must report the employment to your DSO. Per diem PTA work at a licensed facility that matches your degree field qualifies. Self-employment and independent contracting are generally not permitted on standard OPT unless you have a formal business entity.