OT Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
OT positions in healthcare settings frequently qualify for H-1B visa and other work visa sponsorship, as occupational therapy requires specialized knowledge and typically mandates a master's degree from an accredited program. Healthcare employers often sponsor international candidates due to ongoing shortages in rehabilitation services. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find OT JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,854+ OT jobs










See all 1,854+ OT Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OT roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.
At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This job evaluates patients and provides inpatient occupational therapy treatment programs based upon physician orders from inpatient providers. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team to facilitate the patient to the most appropriate level of post-acute or home care to achieve identified patient specific goals.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Education
Required - Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required - None.
CERTIFICATIONS
Required - Current occupational therapy license in state of practice
OR
eligibility for licensure by examination
OR
reciprocity from another state.
Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)
- Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Excellent judgment and decision-making skills and ability to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
- Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
JOB DUTIES
- Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient specific goals.
- Assesses the patient’s response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate to improve quality of outcome and maintain patient safety.
- Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
- Ensures treatment protocols contribute to overall hospital quality and safety targets and achieve patient safety outcomes.
- Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.
Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.
The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases.
There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.
Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!
Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.
Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
See all 1,854+ OT Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OT roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OT Jobs
Target healthcare systems and rehabilitation hospitals
Large healthcare networks like HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and rehabilitation specialists regularly sponsor OTs due to consistent demand for therapy services across their facilities.
Emphasize your specialized clinical training
Highlight specific areas like hand therapy, pediatric development, or neurological rehabilitation. Specialized skills make the H-1B specialty occupation requirement easier to demonstrate.
Consider rural and underserved areas
Healthcare facilities in rural areas often struggle to fill OT positions and may be more willing to sponsor visas for qualified international candidates.
Get state licensure requirements sorted early
Each state has different OT licensing requirements. Research and begin the licensure process before applying, as employers want candidates who can start quickly.
Network through professional associations
Join the American Occupational Therapy Association and attend conferences. Many healthcare employers recruit directly through professional networks and referrals in this field.
Consider contract and travel positions initially
Staffing agencies that place contract OTs sometimes sponsor visas, and these positions can lead to permanent roles with healthcare systems later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as an OT?
You need a master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. The degree must be from a program accredited by ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) or equivalent international accreditation. Bachelor's-level OT degrees typically don't meet current H-1B visa specialty occupation requirements.
Do OT positions qualify for H-1B specialty occupation requirements?
Yes, OT positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require specialized knowledge in human anatomy, therapeutic techniques, and rehabilitation science that can only be acquired through formal education. The master's degree requirement strengthens the H-1B case significantly.
Can I get sponsored without U.S. OT licensure?
Most employers require or strongly prefer candidates who already have state licensure or are eligible for it. Some may sponsor while you complete licensure requirements, but having licensure in hand makes you much more attractive to potential sponsors.
How to find OT jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find occupational therapy jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international OT professionals with employers offering visa support. Focus on healthcare systems, rehabilitation centers, and aged care facilities that commonly sponsor H-1B, EB-3, or skilled worker visas for occupational therapists. These employers actively seek qualified OTs to address staffing shortages in therapeutic services.
What's the approval rate for OT H-1B petitions?
OT positions have relatively high H-1B approval rates, typically above 85%, because the specialty occupation requirement is well-established. Healthcare roles generally face fewer RFEs (Requests for Evidence) compared to some other fields, especially with proper documentation of degree requirements.
Can I switch from F-1 OPT to H-1B as an OT?
Yes, this is a common pathway. Many international OT students use their OPT period to gain U.S. clinical experience and find an employer willing to sponsor H-1B. The transition works well because OT clearly qualifies as a specialty occupation.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored OT 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.