Mental Health Counseling Jobs at Sea Mar Community Health Centers with Visa Sponsorship
Mental Health Counseling jobs at Sea Mar Community Health Centers span across its network of community clinics serving underserved populations in Washington State. The organization has a documented history of sponsoring international candidates for clinical roles, including H-1B visa and employment-based Green Card pathways, making it a realistic target for foreign nationals in behavioral health.
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Get Access To All JobsSea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:
Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization.
Position Summary
The Mental Health Therapist provides diagnostic assessments, referrals for psychiatric services, case management in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment. In addition, the Mental Health Therapist provides individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment and treatment plans, and leads groups. Assistance to the Program Manager in program development, policy and procedure development, compliance with WACs and RCWs, and other administrative tasks performed are as directed. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The person in this position will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Duties and Responsibilities
As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services.
Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:
- Understanding and empathizing with client needs
- Surpassing client expectations
- Demonstrating a high level of integrity
- Exhibiting compassion and commitment
- Advocating for social justice
- Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
- Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology
As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
ADMINISTRATIVE
- Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
- Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Manager.
- Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager.
- Maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts.
CLINICAL DUTIES
- Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary Chemical Dependency Counselor regarding outcomes and recommendations.
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
- Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
- Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). Attends session with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.
- Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues; and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients.
- Provides individual counseling, in coordination with other system as needed.
- Provides suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provides other crisis stabilization as needed.
- Gathers information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchanges information with outside service providers.
- Supports other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients. Maintains confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.
PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD
- Performs a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face contact and 80 encounters each month.
Qualifications
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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization requirements. The ability to work effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures.
- The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses. The ability to NOT diagnose behavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate.
- An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability to coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers.
- Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist.
- The Mental Health Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information.
- This person must pass a background check.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work which includes course-work in psychological diagnostics.
- Four or more years’ experience in the field. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP). Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor License (may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment) or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must have and maintain a current TB test.
- Minority mental health therapist as required by WAC.
- This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
- Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to fulfill the duties of this position.
Physical Requirements
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Hourly - Hourly Plan, 33.23 USD Hourly
What We Offer:
Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Prescription coverage
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
- Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
- We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.
Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.
Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:
Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization.
Position Summary
The Mental Health Therapist provides diagnostic assessments, referrals for psychiatric services, case management in coordination with other teams or parties involved in treatment. In addition, the Mental Health Therapist provides individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment and treatment plans, and leads groups. Assistance to the Program Manager in program development, policy and procedure development, compliance with WACs and RCWs, and other administrative tasks performed are as directed. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The person in this position will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Duties and Responsibilities
As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services.
Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:
- Understanding and empathizing with client needs
- Surpassing client expectations
- Demonstrating a high level of integrity
- Exhibiting compassion and commitment
- Advocating for social justice
- Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
- Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology
As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
ADMINISTRATIVE
- Assists in insuring agency compliance with WAC's, RCW's, and other pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
- Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures as directed by the Program Manager.
- Educates staff regarding the process for mental health service referrals and regarding psycho educational topics (suicide risk assessment, behavior modification, etc.) as directed by the Program Manager.
- Maintains documentation of mental health services, and follow through in patient charts.
CLINICAL DUTIES
- Provides diagnostic assessments for each patient during the program. Documents outcomes, justifies diagnoses, and communicates with the primary Chemical Dependency Counselor regarding outcomes and recommendations.
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
- Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
- Refers patients to psychiatric services as appropriate. Gathers record materials and background information as needed by the community mental health center (See Policies and Procedures). Attends session with the psychiatric service provider to insure accuracy of presentation and that identified needs are addressed. Provides monitoring regarding the effects of medications, and feedback to the psychiatrist regarding effects/side effects.
- Provides consultation to Sea Mar staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues; and develops treatment plans with staff to address emotional needs and behavioral problems identified for patients.
- Provides individual counseling, in coordination with other system as needed.
- Provides suicide risk assessment and develop treatment plans to address suicidal ideation or gestures. Uses case management as needed to provide follow through and build community support as follow through. Provides other crisis stabilization as needed.
- Gathers information regarding past mental health services to be used in the individual’s treatment plan development. Provides mental health services referrals to patients prior to or following admission, and exchanges information with outside service providers.
- Supports other staff regarding mental health needs of staff or patients. Maintains confidentiality, prevent splitting between staff and patients, and offer concrete ideas on handling challenging situations.
PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD
- Performs a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face contact and 80 encounters each month.
Qualifications
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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- An understanding of the Behavioral Health Organization requirements. The ability to work effectively with all persons and groups with an open mind towards cultural differences and knowledge of cultures.
- The ability to accurately diagnose mental health issues and develop treatment plans based upon diagnoses. The ability to NOT diagnose behavioral problems as mental illnesses unless appropriate.
- An understanding of chemical dependency treatment and an ability to coordinate mental health services with chemical dependency treatment providers.
- Must complete an annual clinical competency test as a mental health therapist.
- The Mental Health Therapist must sign a permanent oath of confidentiality covering all patient related information.
- This person must pass a background check.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or social work which includes course-work in psychological diagnostics.
- Four or more years’ experience in the field. Must meet criteria of a Mental Health Professional (MHP). Must hold and maintain an active Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor License (may be pending for up to 60 days if applied for within 7 days of being offered employment) or mental health Associate License (includes Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Social Worker).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must have and maintain a current TB test.
- Minority mental health therapist as required by WAC.
- This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
- Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Additional evening/weekend hours may be required to fulfill the duties of this position.
Physical Requirements
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Hourly - Hourly Plan, 33.23 USD Hourly
What We Offer:
Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Prescription coverage
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
- Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
- We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.
Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.
Tips for Finding Mental Health Counseling Jobs at Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Verify your licensure eligibility before applying
Washington State requires a Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential for independent practice. Confirm your foreign degree meets the LMHC educational equivalency requirements before Sea Mar can justify sponsoring you, since licensure is a prerequisite to any visa filing.
Target Sea Mar's federally qualified health center status
Sea Mar operates as a Federally Qualified Health Center, which shapes its hiring urgency for bilingual mental health staff. Roles requiring Spanish or indigenous language fluency tend to move faster through the offer stage because FQHC workforce shortages are documented and easier to justify under PERM labor market tests.
Request H-1B sponsorship before accepting any offer
Raise visa sponsorship explicitly during the offer negotiation stage, not after signing. Ask whether the role is budgeted for H-1B filing fees and confirm Sea Mar's legal counsel handles the Labor Condition Application filing with DOL before your start date.
Use Migrate Mate to identify Sea Mar's open counseling roles
Sea Mar posts Mental Health Counseling positions across multiple clinic locations simultaneously. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for Sea Mar openings that flag visa sponsorship, so you can identify which sites are actively hiring and prioritize your applications accordingly.
Prepare a supervision documentation file early
If you completed clinical hours under a supervisor in another country, gather translated hour logs and supervisor credentials before interviewing. Sea Mar's credentialing team will audit your supervised hours during onboarding, and gaps discovered late can delay your start date and your H-1B petition timing.
Understand the PERM timeline if you're targeting a Green Card
EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship through PERM requires DOL to conduct a supervised recruitment process that typically takes one to two years before an I-140 petition is filed. Discuss this pathway with Sea Mar's HR team during your first 90 days so the process starts before your H-1B clock becomes a constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sea Mar Community Health Centers sponsor H-1B visas for Mental Health Counselors?
Yes, Sea Mar Community Health Centers sponsors H-1B visas for Mental Health Counseling roles. As a large community health organization operating across Washington State, Sea Mar has an established process for sponsoring international clinical staff. You'll need a qualifying specialty occupation degree and an active or pending Washington State LMHC license to be eligible for sponsorship.
How do I apply for Mental Health Counseling jobs at Sea Mar Community Health Centers?
Applications go through Sea Mar's careers portal, where roles are posted by clinic location. You can also browse Sea Mar's Mental Health Counseling openings filtered by visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate, which makes it easier to identify which positions are actively hiring international candidates. Tailor your application to highlight bilingual skills and FQHC or community health experience, as Sea Mar prioritizes candidates who can serve its diverse patient populations.
Which visa types does Sea Mar Community Health Centers commonly use for Mental Health Counseling roles?
Sea Mar sponsors H-1B visas for Mental Health Counselors in specialty occupation roles requiring at least a master's degree in counseling or a related field. For longer-term pathways, Sea Mar also sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 Green Cards through the PERM process. F-1 OPT and CPT are supported for students completing practicums or early career positions, and TN visas apply to qualifying Canadian and Mexican nationals.
What qualifications does Sea Mar expect from Mental Health Counseling candidates seeking visa sponsorship?
Sea Mar expects candidates to hold at least a master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field, along with progress toward Washington State LMHC licensure. Bilingual fluency, particularly in Spanish, is frequently listed as preferred or required given Sea Mar's patient demographics. Prior experience in community health, substance use disorders, or integrated behavioral health settings strengthens your application significantly.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Mental Health Counseling role at Sea Mar?
For H-1B sponsorship, Sea Mar's legal team files a Labor Condition Application with DOL before submitting the H-1B petition to USCIS. Standard processing takes three to five months; premium processing reduces USCIS adjudication to 15 business days for an additional fee. If you're pursuing an EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card, budget at least one to two years for the PERM recruitment and I-140 petition stages before priority dates become relevant.