OPT Sports Physical Therapist Jobs
Sports Physical Therapist jobs on OPT require an active OSHA-compliant clinical license and CPT authorization from your DSO. Most positions sit within STEM-adjacent healthcare settings, which may support a 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies. Roles span professional sports organizations, university athletic programs, and outpatient sports medicine clinics.
See All OPT Sports Physical Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 29+ Sports Physical Therapist 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 Sports Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Sports Physical Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Children’s is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. No matter the role, every member of our team is an essential part of our mission to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow. We’re committed to putting you first, and that commitment is at the heart of our company culture: People first. Children always. Find your next career opportunity and make a difference doing what you love at Children’s.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides the highest quality age-appropriate care for patient’s newborn to 20 years of age within the scope of practice and established standards for physical therapy. Functions effectively as a member of the rehabilitation team. Supports the mission of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Proactively supports efforts that ensure delivery of safe patient care and services and promote a safe environment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Evaluates patients, meeting established standards.
- Develops appropriate plan of care and implements effective treatment interventions founded in evidenced base practice so that functional outcomes are achieved.
- Completes documentation, meeting departmental standards for content, accuracy, and timeliness.
- Involves the patient's caregivers in their care, offering effective education and documentation tailored to the learning needs of both the patient and their caregivers.
- Provides clinical oversight to Physical Therapist Assistants, Rehabilitation aides, and students as assigned.
- Demonstrates competencies that incorporate age-specific guidelines, including N = Neonate (less than 30 days), I = Infant (30 days to 1 year), EC = Early Childhood (1-5 years), LC = Late Childhood (5-13 years), A = Adolescent (13-18 years), AD = Adult (greater than 18 years as applicable), and ALL = all ages.
- Participates in maintaining and monitoring the work environment to ensure a continual state of accreditation readiness.
- Travels to clinical locations to provide patient care based on patient census, program development, and/or contract obligations with physician practices.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- No minimum experience required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in pediatric or related physical therapy
Education
- Bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in physical therapy from an accredited school
CERTIFICATION SUMMARY
- Georgia physical therapy license
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association within 30 days of employment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of pediatric/sports theory and practice (as applicable)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective communication of information
- Positive interpersonal skills and ability to function in an interdisciplinary environment
LOCATION
Primary Location Address Site Under development no USPS address assigned
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic covered by applicable law.
INTRODUCTION
Children’s is one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. No matter the role, every member of our team is an essential part of our mission to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow. We’re committed to putting you first, and that commitment is at the heart of our company culture: People first. Children always. Find your next career opportunity and make a difference doing what you love at Children’s.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides the highest quality age-appropriate care for patient’s newborn to 20 years of age within the scope of practice and established standards for physical therapy. Functions effectively as a member of the rehabilitation team. Supports the mission of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Proactively supports efforts that ensure delivery of safe patient care and services and promote a safe environment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Evaluates patients, meeting established standards.
- Develops appropriate plan of care and implements effective treatment interventions founded in evidenced base practice so that functional outcomes are achieved.
- Completes documentation, meeting departmental standards for content, accuracy, and timeliness.
- Involves the patient's caregivers in their care, offering effective education and documentation tailored to the learning needs of both the patient and their caregivers.
- Provides clinical oversight to Physical Therapist Assistants, Rehabilitation aides, and students as assigned.
- Demonstrates competencies that incorporate age-specific guidelines, including N = Neonate (less than 30 days), I = Infant (30 days to 1 year), EC = Early Childhood (1-5 years), LC = Late Childhood (5-13 years), A = Adolescent (13-18 years), AD = Adult (greater than 18 years as applicable), and ALL = all ages.
- Participates in maintaining and monitoring the work environment to ensure a continual state of accreditation readiness.
- Travels to clinical locations to provide patient care based on patient census, program development, and/or contract obligations with physician practices.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- No minimum experience required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in pediatric or related physical therapy
Education
- Bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in physical therapy from an accredited school
CERTIFICATION SUMMARY
- Georgia physical therapy license
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association within 30 days of employment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of pediatric/sports theory and practice (as applicable)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective communication of information
- Positive interpersonal skills and ability to function in an interdisciplinary environment
LOCATION
Primary Location Address Site Under development no USPS address assigned
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic covered by applicable law.
See all OPT Sports Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Sports Physical Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Sports Physical Therapist
Verify your license before applying
Each state issues its own Physical Therapist license, and OPT authorization alone does not cover clinical practice. Apply for state licensure as early as possible. Processing can take 6 to 12 weeks, which directly affects your start date eligibility.
Target employers familiar with OPT
Hospital networks, university athletic departments, and large sports medicine groups hire international clinicians regularly. These employers understand OPT timelines and CPT restrictions, reducing friction during onboarding compared to small private practices unfamiliar with work authorization requirements.
Lead with your STEM OPT extension potential
If your PT program was housed in a STEM-classified department, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Flagging this upfront gives employers a longer runway before needing to file an H-1B visa petition on your behalf.
Time your application around your OPT start date
Many sports PT roles require immediate clinical availability. Apply two to three months before your OPT authorization begins so your start date aligns with employer expectations. Offers contingent on pending authorization are common but require proactive communication.
Clarify H-1B sponsorship intentions early
Sports PT roles in hospital systems and university programs are more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than independent clinics. Ask directly during the second interview round whether the employer has sponsored international clinicians before and whether that pathway is open.
Document your clinical training thoroughly
OPT must be directly related to your degree program. Keep records of your clinical rotations, board certifications, and any sports-specific credentials like CSCS or SCS. This documentation supports both DSO reporting requirements and future visa petition evidence.
Sports Physical Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Sports Physical Therapist on OPT?
Yes, provided your job duties are directly related to your Physical Therapy degree and you hold a valid state PT license. OPT authorizes employment in your field of study, and clinical practice qualifies. You cannot begin work before your OPT start date, even if you have a signed offer letter.
Do Sports Physical Therapist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on how your PT program was classified in the SEVIS system. Most Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are not automatically designated as STEM. However, programs housed within kinesiology, biomedical science, or exercise science departments at some universities carry STEM CIP codes. Check your I-20 and confirm with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
How do I find Sports Physical Therapist jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you are not manually screening hundreds of postings. Hospital-affiliated sports medicine programs and Division I university athletic departments are the most consistent sponsors. Smaller private clinics rarely have the infrastructure to manage immigration filings.
What happens to my OPT if I move from one sports PT clinic to another?
You can change employers on OPT without filing anything with USCIS, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days. Your new position must still be directly related to your PT degree. Any gap longer than 90 days in aggregate while on OPT can jeopardize your status, so minimize time between roles.
Do I need a separate license to work with professional or collegiate sports teams?
You need a valid PT license in the state where you provide treatment. Some professional teams practice and compete across multiple states, which can require licensure in more than one state or reliance on temporary practice permits. Confirm the team's primary practice location and travel schedule before accepting an offer to understand your full licensing obligations.