OPT Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs
Physical Therapy Assistant jobs on OPT require active APTA-recognized state licensure, which F-1 students must secure before starting work. Most roles qualify under STEM-adjacent healthcare classifications, and CAPTE-accredited PTA programs support 12-month OPT. Confirm your employer can provide the supervision structure required for licensed PTA practice.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
New graduates and experienced PTAs are encouraged to apply!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Physical Therapist Assistant II, under the supervision of a physical therapist, participates in rehabilitative programs that facilitate return to optimal functional abilities, improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and decrease or prevent deformity of patients suffering from disease or injury, including patient and family education. This position carries out established care plans through the use of evidence-based modalities and skilled interventions to increase patients' ability to achieve mutually established functional goals. This position monitors progress related to the plan of care as established by the physical therapist. The Physical Therapy Assistant II is responsible for optimizing patients’ functional abilities and helping them regain independence in their daily lives. The Physical Therapist Assistant II has proficient clinical knowledge base in their primary treatment area and requires occasional guidance and mentoring for the following daily operations.
Essential Job Function:
- Completes patient treatments, tests and measures, and documentation/charging.
- Implements established therapy plans by selecting and performing appropriate treatment interventions to achieve patient goals.
- Progresses patient within designated treatment plan to achieve goals.
- Administers therapeutic exercises and other physical therapy interventions to improve patients strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Educates patients and their families on treatment plans, home exercises, and self-management techniques to improve recovery outcomes.
- Collaborates with the physical therapist with implementation of discharge plans and recommendations for continued care.
- Monitors and documents patients progress, treatment outcomes, and responses to interventions so that treatment plans can be adjusted as needed.
- Collaborates on teams from different departments to ensure coordinated patient care and holistic treatment outcomes.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Required: Associates Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program.
Experience:
- Required: 2 years
Licensure/Certification/Listing:
- Required: North Carolina License by the NCPT Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; BLS (CPR)-American Red Cross or AHA Healthcare Provider.
INTRODUCTION
New graduates and experienced PTAs are encouraged to apply!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Physical Therapist Assistant II, under the supervision of a physical therapist, participates in rehabilitative programs that facilitate return to optimal functional abilities, improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and decrease or prevent deformity of patients suffering from disease or injury, including patient and family education. This position carries out established care plans through the use of evidence-based modalities and skilled interventions to increase patients' ability to achieve mutually established functional goals. This position monitors progress related to the plan of care as established by the physical therapist. The Physical Therapy Assistant II is responsible for optimizing patients’ functional abilities and helping them regain independence in their daily lives. The Physical Therapist Assistant II has proficient clinical knowledge base in their primary treatment area and requires occasional guidance and mentoring for the following daily operations.
Essential Job Function:
- Completes patient treatments, tests and measures, and documentation/charging.
- Implements established therapy plans by selecting and performing appropriate treatment interventions to achieve patient goals.
- Progresses patient within designated treatment plan to achieve goals.
- Administers therapeutic exercises and other physical therapy interventions to improve patients strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Educates patients and their families on treatment plans, home exercises, and self-management techniques to improve recovery outcomes.
- Collaborates with the physical therapist with implementation of discharge plans and recommendations for continued care.
- Monitors and documents patients progress, treatment outcomes, and responses to interventions so that treatment plans can be adjusted as needed.
- Collaborates on teams from different departments to ensure coordinated patient care and holistic treatment outcomes.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Required: Associates Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program.
Experience:
- Required: 2 years
Licensure/Certification/Listing:
- Required: North Carolina License by the NCPT Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; BLS (CPR)-American Red Cross or AHA Healthcare Provider.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Physical Therapy Assistant
Secure state licensure before your OPT start date
PTA licensure is required to work legally in most states. Apply for your state license immediately after graduation. Processing can take 6 to 12 weeks, so delays in licensure can eat into your authorized OPT period before you earn a single paycheck.
Target employers with established visa sponsorship history
Large rehabilitation networks, hospital systems, and skilled nursing facilities are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visa or other visas after OPT than small private practices. Prioritize employers with HR infrastructure that can support future immigration filings on your behalf.
Clarify the supervision structure during interviews
PTAs must work under licensed physical therapist supervision, which is both a legal and licensure requirement. Confirm your prospective employer has a qualified supervising PT in place. Gaps in supervision can jeopardize your license and your OPT employment authorization simultaneously.
Document your employment accurately on your I-983 if applicable
If your PTA role qualifies under a STEM OPT extension, your employer must complete Form I-983 and implement a formal training plan. Work with your DSO early to determine eligibility and ensure your job description aligns with your degree field on file.
Apply well before your OPT authorization window opens
Hiring timelines in physical therapy can be slow due to credentialing and background checks. Start applying three to four months before your OPT start date to account for employer onboarding, state licensure verification, and any credentialing delays at the facility level.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles that explicitly sponsor OPT
Many PTA job listings do not specify visa sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate filters for employers actively open to OPT candidates, saving you time and reducing the risk of investing in applications at organizations that will not move forward with your work authorization.
Physical Therapy Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Physical Therapy Assistant on OPT?
Yes, provided your degree is from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and your employment is directly related to that field of study. You must also hold an active state PTA license before beginning work. OPT authorizes employment in your field of study, and PTA roles generally satisfy that requirement when your degree specifically covers physical therapy assisting.
Does a Physical Therapy Assistant job qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most PTA associate degree programs are not classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, which means a 24-month STEM OPT extension is typically not available for standard PTA degrees. However, if your degree was in a qualifying health sciences or biomedical science field and your PTA role applies that training, you should confirm eligibility directly with your DSO.
What happens to my OPT if my state PTA license is delayed?
Your OPT period begins on the authorized start date regardless of whether your license is ready. If your license is delayed, you legally cannot work as a PTA during that gap, and those weeks still count against your OPT window. Apply for state licensure as early as possible, ideally three to four months before your anticipated graduation date.
Will Physical Therapy Assistant employers sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT?
Some do, but it varies significantly by employer size and structure. Large hospital networks, outpatient rehabilitation chains, and long-term care organizations are the most likely sponsors. Small private practices rarely have the HR resources to manage H-1B filings. When evaluating offers, ask directly about post-OPT sponsorship policy. Migrate Mate highlights employers open to visa sponsorship, which helps you focus your search.
Can I work at multiple clinics as a Physical Therapy Assistant on OPT?
OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each position is directly related to your field of study and each employer meets the minimum 20 hours per week threshold collectively. However, holding multiple PTA licenses across different states adds complexity. You must report all employers to your DSO and ensure each role satisfies your OPT employment requirements to maintain valid status.