OT Visa Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota
Occupational therapist roles in South Dakota attract visa sponsorship from health systems like Sanford Health and Monument Health, along with rural critical access hospitals scattered across the state. Sioux Falls and Rapid City hold the largest concentrations of OT positions, though smaller communities actively recruit to address persistent therapy workforce shortages across the region.
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Avera McKennan Hospital
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Primarily days with rotating weekends and holidays (United States of America)
Pay Range:
The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.
$34.00 - $51.25
Position Highlights
- May be eligible for a $15,000 Sign-On Bonus with a 3 year commitment!!
- Student Loan Repayment: This position may be eligible for Avera’s Student Loan Repayment Program, which helps you pay off your loans and save money. Each month an extra payment of $167 (up to $10,000) from Avera will help pay down your principal balance faster.
- Gain hands-on experience in care working alongside nurses and other professionals who are passionate about creating a positive impact.
Every 4th weekend; 1-2 holidays per year
You Belong at Avera
Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.
A Brief Overview
Responsible for the daily coordination and delivery of occupational therapy services that focus on conditions and health diagnosis, implementing specific treatment program for individual patients and patient groups according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy and established objectives of the department.
What you will do
- Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific factors and performs satisfactorily related to patients age infant through geriatrics as noted on unit specific guidelines and competencies.
- Develops and implements individualized treatment programs for the patients needing services. Evaluates assigned patients, gathering data from a variety of sources, such as patient records, interviews, observations and team members.
- Uses selected activities and/or tasks to promote and maintain health, and to achieve treatment goals. Establishes and modifies intervention goals and strategies for patients/treatment program based on ongoing evaluations.
- Provides direct therapy services to patients using various functional settings and strategies.
- Plans therapy within the patient’s individual physical, emotional and intellectual capabilities as indicated and coordinated with the rehabilitation, medical, and nursing care plans.
- Prepares documentation as required by the profession and the department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress notes, and other such reports.
- Communicates effectively with patient, family, physician, and other disciplinary team members regarding the patient status, progress, and needs.
- Establishes rapport and works cooperatively with interdisciplinary team members (including family/physician) throughout the patient’s intervention program.
- Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, workshops, etc. Shares new knowledge with co-workers. Evaluates and monitors clinical internship with students affiliating in various universities/colleges.
- Participates in program development of the department.
Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Occupational Therapist - Licensing Board An active license in the state of practice Upon Hire
Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- 1-3 years clinical patient care experience
Expectations and Standards
- Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
- Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
- Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
- Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.
Benefits You Need & Then Some
Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
- PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
- Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
- Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship
Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.
Location:
Avera McKennan Hospital
Worker Type:
Regular
Work Shift:
Primarily days with rotating weekends and holidays (United States of America)
Pay Range:
The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.
$34.00 - $51.25
Position Highlights
- May be eligible for a $15,000 Sign-On Bonus with a 3 year commitment!!
- Student Loan Repayment: This position may be eligible for Avera’s Student Loan Repayment Program, which helps you pay off your loans and save money. Each month an extra payment of $167 (up to $10,000) from Avera will help pay down your principal balance faster.
- Gain hands-on experience in care working alongside nurses and other professionals who are passionate about creating a positive impact.
Every 4th weekend; 1-2 holidays per year
You Belong at Avera
Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.
A Brief Overview
Responsible for the daily coordination and delivery of occupational therapy services that focus on conditions and health diagnosis, implementing specific treatment program for individual patients and patient groups according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy and established objectives of the department.
What you will do
- Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific factors and performs satisfactorily related to patients age infant through geriatrics as noted on unit specific guidelines and competencies.
- Develops and implements individualized treatment programs for the patients needing services. Evaluates assigned patients, gathering data from a variety of sources, such as patient records, interviews, observations and team members.
- Uses selected activities and/or tasks to promote and maintain health, and to achieve treatment goals. Establishes and modifies intervention goals and strategies for patients/treatment program based on ongoing evaluations.
- Provides direct therapy services to patients using various functional settings and strategies.
- Plans therapy within the patient’s individual physical, emotional and intellectual capabilities as indicated and coordinated with the rehabilitation, medical, and nursing care plans.
- Prepares documentation as required by the profession and the department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress notes, and other such reports.
- Communicates effectively with patient, family, physician, and other disciplinary team members regarding the patient status, progress, and needs.
- Establishes rapport and works cooperatively with interdisciplinary team members (including family/physician) throughout the patient’s intervention program.
- Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, workshops, etc. Shares new knowledge with co-workers. Evaluates and monitors clinical internship with students affiliating in various universities/colleges.
- Participates in program development of the department.
Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Occupational Therapist - Licensing Board An active license in the state of practice Upon Hire
Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- 1-3 years clinical patient care experience
Expectations and Standards
- Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
- Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
- Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
- Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.
Benefits You Need & Then Some
Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
- PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
- Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
- Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship
Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.
OT Job Roles in South Dakota
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Search OT Jobs in South DakotaOT Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for OTs in South Dakota?
Sanford Health and Monument Health are the largest employers of occupational therapists in South Dakota and have established HR infrastructure for sponsoring work visas. Avera Health, Black Hills Rehabilitation Hospital, and various critical access hospitals across rural counties also hire OTs and have historically supported visa sponsorship to fill persistent staffing gaps in underserved areas.
Which visa types are most common for OT roles in South Dakota?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for occupational therapists in South Dakota, as OT qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a master's degree. The EB-3 immigrant visa is also a well-established pathway, particularly for employers willing to support permanent residence. Some international OTs initially enter on a TN visa if they are Canadian or Mexican citizens, provided their credentials meet U.S. licensure standards.
Which cities in South Dakota have the most OT sponsorship jobs?
Sioux Falls is by far the largest market for occupational therapist jobs in South Dakota, anchored by Sanford Health and Avera Health systems. Rapid City is the second-largest hub, with Monument Health driving demand there. Aberdeen and Watertown have smaller but active OT markets, and rural hospital networks throughout the state regularly post positions that include sponsorship given the difficulty of local recruitment.
How to find ot visa sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters OT roles in South Dakota by visa sponsorship availability, so you are only seeing positions where employers have indicated willingness to sponsor. This saves significant time compared to sifting through general job boards. Search Migrate Mate for occupational therapist roles filtered to South Dakota to identify current openings from health systems and rural hospitals actively hiring internationally.
Are there any state-specific considerations for OTs seeking sponsorship in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires occupational therapists to hold a state license from the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners before practicing, and most employers will require licensure as a condition of employment or shortly after hire. The state's predominantly rural geography means many sponsoring roles are in critical access hospitals or frontier communities, which can qualify for certain J-1 visa waiver programs if you are completing a Conrad 30 obligated service period.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored ot jobs in South Dakota?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.