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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A Top Workplace
At PT Solutions, we’re more than colleagues; we’re a tight-knit community united in our mission to expand access to quality care. Our commitment to you is evident in our industry-leading professional development opportunities. From ongoing evidence-based clinical education to dedicated mentorship opportunities and an APTA-accredited Orthopedic Residency Program, we propel our clinicians toward excellence in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and athletic training.
PT Solutions has been named a 2026 USA Today Top Workplace for the fifth consecutive year, based entirely on employee feedback. We’ve also earned five Culture Excellence Awards for Innovation, Professional Development, Work-Life Flexibility, Appreciation, and Purpose & Values. This recognition reflects a culture built around supporting our people. It’s not just what we do, but how we make people feel. Through human connection, intentional care, and being all in for one another, we create experiences that make a difference. Because together, we do great better.
Let’s go further together and transform care. Join the #PTSLife today! To see what #PTSLife is like, visit Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all qualified candidates to apply!
Are you passionate about expanding access to transformative care, leading the way in innovative therapy practices, and pursuing clear, tangible pathways for professional growth and development? At PT Solutions, we’re hiring Physical Therapists in Hendersonville, NC who are ready to elevate their careers while making a real difference in the lives of patients and our communities.
Why Join PT Solutions?
PT Solutions works together to provide rehabilitation therapy services in order to best serve patients in the area. We have been recognized as a USA Today Top Workplace five years in a row, including 2026!
At PT Solutions, we are founded by clinicians. Our mission is expanding access to transformative care because people matter—people who need care, and our people who provide care. As part of our team, you’ll join innovators and advocates, passionate about advancing access to quality care and making a lasting impact on patients, communities, and the industry. That means more collaboration for evidence-based therapy when and where it’s needed. It also means tangible opportunities for your future through learning and advancement.
Hospital/Clinic Address: 100 Hospital Drive Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792
PRN Shift/Hour Requirements: 2 weekend day shifts per month, 1 major holiday, 1 minor holiday
Your Responsibilities as an Acute Care Physical Therapist
- Deliver evidence-based, quality care to each patient empowering them to exceed their functional outcome
- Establish timely treatment plans for each patient’s specific needs
- Demonstrate a positive connection with patients, patient families, fellow clinicians, and other hospital team members
- Build and maintain relationships throughout the hospital (I.e. physicians, case management, nurses, etc)
Qualifications
- Graduate of a CAPTE approved physical therapy program
- Current or pending state licensure
- Basic Life Support certification
Compensation
- Pay Range: $40.00-$45.00 an hour (Any posted pay range considers multiple compensation factors including background, experience, and work location while also allowing for salary growth within the position)
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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.