Exercise Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Exercise Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field. Employers in hospitals, university athletic departments, and corporate wellness programs have an established track record of sponsoring international candidates through H-1B and green card pathways.
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As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA
This position is responsible for designing, implementing, supervising, and evaluating exercise therapy given to rehabilitating patients and other apparently healthy populations in order to restore proper physical functioning, and facilitate patient independence.
Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Assesses the extent of patient abilities and limitations by reviewing medical records and physician's notes.
- Administers pre-exercise testing interview and test preparation.
- Uses testing equipment, protocol selection, indications, contraindications, and termination criteria for graded exercise testing.
- Records, analyzes, and interprets results of tests and prepares appropriate exercise prescriptions.
- Administers therapeutic exercises and other techniques designed to provide improved functional capacity, exercise tolerance, exercise endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and coordination to rehabilitating patient populations.
- Evaluates patient hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic response to exercise, and assesses appropriateness of responses as they relate to exercise intensity and endurance.
- In conjunction with multi-disciplinary team members, designs, implements, supervises, and evaluates outcomes for exercise services.
- Assists in developing and providing educational materials and programs for staff and patients.
- Collaborates with the department manager and medical staff in data collection, statistical analysis, development and implementation of research projects.
- Assists in establishing new and maintaining current referral patterns, both within the organization and with other Salt Lake and regional hospitals.
- Assists in coordinating the daily operations of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program as well as planning for long-term growth.
- Assists in arranging for patient follow-up and maintains correspondence with patients and referring physicians during rehabilitation course and after discharge.
- May assist in program development for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, employee fitness and health, facility utilization, etc.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
- Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.
- Ability to provide care to the population served.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development, and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.
- Ability to interpret basic ECG rhythm.
- Ability to cooperate with other healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise and Sports Science, or a related field, or equivalency.
Licenses Required
- Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
- Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Qualifications (Preferred)
Preferred
- Certification as an Exercise Specialist.
- One year of rehabilitation and exercise testing.
- ACLS may be required by some departments.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.
This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.
Physical Requirements
Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking
Multi-lingual Candidates Welcomed
To inquire about this posting, email: careers@hsc.utah.edu
EEO Statement
University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patient populations.
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources office at 801-581-6500. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination.
Online reports may be submitted at eoe.utah.edu.
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at (801) 581-6500 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at (801) 581-6500 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
Requisition Number 87142
Reg/Temp Regular
Employment Type PRN
Shift Day
Work Schedule Variable PRN day shifts, including weekdays and weekends based on department needs. Flexibility to work across three locations.
Location Name University of Utah Hospital
Workplace Set Up On-site
City SALT LAKE CITY
State UT
Department UUH ANC 14A PREVENTIVE CARDIO
Category Therapy/Rehabilitation
Workplace Set Up On-site
Overview
As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA
This position is responsible for designing, implementing, supervising, and evaluating exercise therapy given to rehabilitating patients and other apparently healthy populations in order to restore proper physical functioning, and facilitate patient independence.
Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Assesses the extent of patient abilities and limitations by reviewing medical records and physician's notes.
- Administers pre-exercise testing interview and test preparation.
- Uses testing equipment, protocol selection, indications, contraindications, and termination criteria for graded exercise testing.
- Records, analyzes, and interprets results of tests and prepares appropriate exercise prescriptions.
- Administers therapeutic exercises and other techniques designed to provide improved functional capacity, exercise tolerance, exercise endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and coordination to rehabilitating patient populations.
- Evaluates patient hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic response to exercise, and assesses appropriateness of responses as they relate to exercise intensity and endurance.
- In conjunction with multi-disciplinary team members, designs, implements, supervises, and evaluates outcomes for exercise services.
- Assists in developing and providing educational materials and programs for staff and patients.
- Collaborates with the department manager and medical staff in data collection, statistical analysis, development and implementation of research projects.
- Assists in establishing new and maintaining current referral patterns, both within the organization and with other Salt Lake and regional hospitals.
- Assists in coordinating the daily operations of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program as well as planning for long-term growth.
- Assists in arranging for patient follow-up and maintains correspondence with patients and referring physicians during rehabilitation course and after discharge.
- May assist in program development for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, employee fitness and health, facility utilization, etc.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
- Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.
- Ability to provide care to the population served.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development, and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.
- Ability to interpret basic ECG rhythm.
- Ability to cooperate with other healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise and Sports Science, or a related field, or equivalency.
Licenses Required
- Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
- Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Qualifications (Preferred)
Preferred
- Certification as an Exercise Specialist.
- One year of rehabilitation and exercise testing.
- ACLS may be required by some departments.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.
This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.
Physical Requirements
Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking
Multi-lingual Candidates Welcomed
To inquire about this posting, email: careers@hsc.utah.edu
EEO Statement
University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patient populations.
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources office at 801-581-6500. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination.
Online reports may be submitted at eoe.utah.edu.
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at (801) 581-6500 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources at (801) 581-6500 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
Requisition Number 87142
Reg/Temp Regular
Employment Type PRN
Shift Day
Work Schedule Variable PRN day shifts, including weekdays and weekends based on department needs. Flexibility to work across three locations.
Location Name University of Utah Hospital
Workplace Set Up On-site
City SALT LAKE CITY
State UT
Department UUH ANC 14A PREVENTIVE CARDIO
Category Therapy/Rehabilitation
Workplace Set Up On-site
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Exercise Specialist
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to exercise science, kinesiology, or physiology. A general health sciences degree can trigger an RFE, so gather transcripts and course descriptions that show direct alignment before any employer files.
Target clinical and hospital-based wellness programs
Hospital-integrated exercise physiology departments and cardiac rehabilitation units sponsor H-1B workers more consistently than stand-alone gyms. Focus your search on health system employers, which have HR and legal infrastructure built for visa filing.
Check prevailing wage tiers before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the prevailing wage for Exercise Specialist roles in your target city. An offer below the Level I or II threshold will block LCA certification, so confirm wage compliance before the employer begins filing.
Get your ACSM or NSCA certification documented early
Certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association strengthen the specialty occupation argument. Have official certificates and continuing education records ready when your employer prepares the H-1B petition package.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with H-1B filing history
Search Migrate Mate for Exercise Specialist roles at employers with verified LCA sponsorship records. Targeting companies that have already filed for this occupation saves time and reduces the risk of sponsors who withdraw after the offer stage.
Understand portability rules if you change employers mid-process
If you're already in H-1B status, you can start with a new Exercise Specialist employer once their new petition is filed with USCIS. You don't need to wait for approval, but confirm the new role still meets specialty occupation requirements before you make the switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Exercise Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, but only when the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as exercise science, kinesiology, or exercise physiology. Roles framed as personal training or general fitness instruction, where any background qualifies, typically do not meet the specialty occupation standard. Your offer letter and job description should explicitly state the degree requirement.
Which visa types are realistic for Exercise Specialists seeking U.S. sponsorship?
The H-1B is the primary work visa for Exercise Specialists with a qualifying degree, subject to the annual cap and selection process. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa if the role fits a listed USMCA profession, though Exercise Specialist is not a named TN category, so that path is rarely available. EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM is an option for candidates with employer support and the required experience or advanced degree.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor my H-1B as an Exercise Specialist?
You need at least a bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, exercise physiology, or a closely related field. USCIS scrutinizes whether the degree field is directly tied to the job duties, so a general physical education or sports management degree may not be sufficient unless coursework heavily overlaps with applied exercise science. An advanced degree strengthens the case considerably.
Do Exercise Specialist employers typically go through PERM for green card sponsorship?
Employers sponsoring Exercise Specialists for EB-3 green cards must complete PERM labor certification through DOL, which involves advertising the position to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available. Because the occupation has a relatively small workforce, PERM audits can occur. Candidates with a master's degree may qualify for EB-2, which still requires PERM unless a National Interest Waiver applies, though NIW approval in this field is uncommon.
Where can I find Exercise Specialist jobs where the employer is already open to sponsoring visas?
Migrate Mate lists Exercise Specialist roles at employers with verified sponsorship history, so you can focus on companies that have already demonstrated willingness to file. Hospital networks, university wellness centers, and large corporate health programs are the most active sponsors, and searching by role and location on Migrate Mate surfaces those employers directly.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Exercise Specialist jobs?
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.