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.
See All OPT Physical Therapist Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 809+ Physical Therapist Assistant jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 809+ Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Physical Therapist Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
HealthPro Heritage has a great Full Time Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) opportunity available to join our large rehab team at Maplewood in Bethesda, Maryland!
Are you a passionate Physical Therapist Assistant looking to make a real difference in the lives of seniors? At HealthPro Heritage, you will work at a leading long-term care facility, we don’t just offer a job — we offer purpose, connection, and community.
Full Time, Part Time and PRN hours available!
- Full time/Part time pay range: $35-38 with some room for negotiation
- PRN rate is $40 an hour
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Empower residents to regain independence and improve quality of life
- Bring compassion, creativity, and clinical expertise to every session
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
- Licensed Physical Therapist (PTA) in Maryland
- Experience in geriatrics or long-term care is a plus
- Strong communication, compassion, and a can-do spirit
WHY WORK FOR HEALTHPRO HERITAGE?
- Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to compassionate care and innovative therapy solutions.
- Growth Opportunities: Enjoy continuous learning and development opportunities tailored to support your professional growth.
- Collaborative Culture: Thrive in a supportive environment where teamwork, respect, and open communication are at the heart of everything we do.
- Commitment to Excellence: Join a team recognized for clinical expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality care and outcomes.
- Competitive Benefits Package: Enjoy competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package designed with YOU in mind!
JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE
At HealthPro Heritage, we offer a fulfilling career where you can positively impact lives and achieve personal and professional growth. As a therapist-led, diverse organization, we provide clinical services across various settings, including nursing facilities, retirement communities, hospitals, home care, schools, and clinics. Join us to be part of a team that values your skills, listens to your input, and makes a meaningful difference in the community.
Responsibilities:
- Patient Care: Assist in implementing treatment plans designed by Physical Therapists. Provide direct patient care including therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modality applications.
- Treatment and Education: Monitor and document patient progress, report observations to the Physical Therapist, and educate patients and families on treatment protocols, exercises, and self-care techniques.
- Documentation: Accurately document patient treatments, progress, and responses in compliance with facility policies and regulatory standards.
- Collaboration: Work closely with Physical Therapists, other healthcare professionals, and support staff to ensure coordinated patient care and effective treatment outcomes.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Associate’s degree in Physical Therapist Assisting from an accredited program.
- Licensure: Valid state licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant, or license eligible
- Skills: Strong assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic abilities with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficient in using diagnostic tools, therapy equipment, relevant software, and electronic health record systems, with a proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company facilities. 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.
INTRODUCTION
HealthPro Heritage has a great Full Time Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) opportunity available to join our large rehab team at Maplewood in Bethesda, Maryland!
Are you a passionate Physical Therapist Assistant looking to make a real difference in the lives of seniors? At HealthPro Heritage, you will work at a leading long-term care facility, we don’t just offer a job — we offer purpose, connection, and community.
Full Time, Part Time and PRN hours available!
- Full time/Part time pay range: $35-38 with some room for negotiation
- PRN rate is $40 an hour
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Empower residents to regain independence and improve quality of life
- Bring compassion, creativity, and clinical expertise to every session
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
- Licensed Physical Therapist (PTA) in Maryland
- Experience in geriatrics or long-term care is a plus
- Strong communication, compassion, and a can-do spirit
WHY WORK FOR HEALTHPRO HERITAGE?
- Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to compassionate care and innovative therapy solutions.
- Growth Opportunities: Enjoy continuous learning and development opportunities tailored to support your professional growth.
- Collaborative Culture: Thrive in a supportive environment where teamwork, respect, and open communication are at the heart of everything we do.
- Commitment to Excellence: Join a team recognized for clinical expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality care and outcomes.
- Competitive Benefits Package: Enjoy competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package designed with YOU in mind!
JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE
At HealthPro Heritage, we offer a fulfilling career where you can positively impact lives and achieve personal and professional growth. As a therapist-led, diverse organization, we provide clinical services across various settings, including nursing facilities, retirement communities, hospitals, home care, schools, and clinics. Join us to be part of a team that values your skills, listens to your input, and makes a meaningful difference in the community.
Responsibilities:
- Patient Care: Assist in implementing treatment plans designed by Physical Therapists. Provide direct patient care including therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modality applications.
- Treatment and Education: Monitor and document patient progress, report observations to the Physical Therapist, and educate patients and families on treatment protocols, exercises, and self-care techniques.
- Documentation: Accurately document patient treatments, progress, and responses in compliance with facility policies and regulatory standards.
- Collaboration: Work closely with Physical Therapists, other healthcare professionals, and support staff to ensure coordinated patient care and effective treatment outcomes.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Associate’s degree in Physical Therapist Assisting from an accredited program.
- Licensure: Valid state licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant, or license eligible
- Skills: Strong assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic abilities with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficient in using diagnostic tools, therapy equipment, relevant software, and electronic health record systems, with a proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company facilities. 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.
See all 809+ OPT Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs.
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.