H-1B Visa Clinical Counselor Jobs
Clinical Counselor roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires a master's degree or higher in counseling, social work, or a related field. Many hospital systems, community mental health centers, and behavioral health networks sponsor H-1B petitions for licensed clinicians, making this one of the more accessible paths for international counseling professionals.
Find H-1B Visa Clinical Counselor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12,148+ Clinical Counselor jobs
See all 12,148+ Clinical Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Counselor roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout this Job
Villa Feliciana Medical Complex (VFMC), nestled in the heart of East Feliciana Parish in Jackson, Louisiana, invites dedicated professionals to join our team. We provide compassionate, high-quality services to individuals living with chronic diseases, disabilities, terminal illnesses, and infectious conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Our goal is to create a homelike, safe environment where every patient receives personalized care designed to improve their quality of life.
We are currently seeking a Social Service Counselor who demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a team-oriented environment and are committed to making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply.
An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:
Accepting Direction: Follows direction reliably, adjusts to feedback, and completes tasks on time.
Communicating Effectively: Communicates clearly, listens actively, and explains complex ideas well.
Demonstrating Initiative: Takes ownership, solves problems, and follows through.
Developing Plans: The ability to create structured strategies and plans that support the achievement of defined goals and objectives.
Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three years of social services experience; OR
- Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
- A bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Positions that provide addictive disorder counseling or prevention services will require certification or eligibility for certification issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor.
Job Duties:
-
Obtains and prepares social histories of clients for information to be reviewed by treatment teams and for use in referrals to other agencies.
-
Participates in the decision-making process of the treatment team including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan.
-
Manages a caseload by scheduling appointments, evaluating client progress in counseling sessions, and making recommendations to the treatment team.
-
Coordinates admissions, discharges, and follow-up services within various programs.
-
Serves as liaison between the client, family, and the agency/institution. Assists in determining eligibility for services provided.
-
Assists in the procurement of needs such as institutional placements, transportation, financial assistance, medical equipment, shelter, food, clothing, etc.
-
Makes recommendations to the criminal justice system or to employers concerning a client's progress, including occasional court appearances.
Position-Specific Details:
Location: This vacancy is located in the Social Services Department of LDH/OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex, Jackson, Louisiana.
Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Detail to Special Duty
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 hours day shift
Career Progression: This position is in a CPG (Career Progression Group) and may be filled as a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, or 3, depending on the applicant’s experience.
Compensation: Special Entrance Rate (SER): SSC 1 - $16.42 hourly, SSC 2 - $17.56 hourly and SSC 3 - $21.27 hourly also offers Longevity Pay up to $5.00 hourly.
Benefits of working as a Social Service Counselor at VFMC include flexible work hours, paid holidays, and paid time off.
All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening and a background check.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their applications to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex
Marsha Perry, Lacey Bradham, or Tamekia Miles
5002 LA HWY 10
Jackson, LA 70748
(225) 634-4013
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities
About this Job
Villa Feliciana Medical Complex (VFMC), nestled in the heart of East Feliciana Parish in Jackson, Louisiana, invites dedicated professionals to join our team. We provide compassionate, high-quality services to individuals living with chronic diseases, disabilities, terminal illnesses, and infectious conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Our goal is to create a homelike, safe environment where every patient receives personalized care designed to improve their quality of life.
We are currently seeking a Social Service Counselor who demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a team-oriented environment and are committed to making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply.
An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:
Accepting Direction: Follows direction reliably, adjusts to feedback, and completes tasks on time.
Communicating Effectively: Communicates clearly, listens actively, and explains complex ideas well.
Demonstrating Initiative: Takes ownership, solves problems, and follows through.
Developing Plans: The ability to create structured strategies and plans that support the achievement of defined goals and objectives.
Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three years of social services experience; OR
- Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
- A bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Positions that provide addictive disorder counseling or prevention services will require certification or eligibility for certification issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor.
Job Duties:
-
Obtains and prepares social histories of clients for information to be reviewed by treatment teams and for use in referrals to other agencies.
-
Participates in the decision-making process of the treatment team including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan.
-
Manages a caseload by scheduling appointments, evaluating client progress in counseling sessions, and making recommendations to the treatment team.
-
Coordinates admissions, discharges, and follow-up services within various programs.
-
Serves as liaison between the client, family, and the agency/institution. Assists in determining eligibility for services provided.
-
Assists in the procurement of needs such as institutional placements, transportation, financial assistance, medical equipment, shelter, food, clothing, etc.
-
Makes recommendations to the criminal justice system or to employers concerning a client's progress, including occasional court appearances.
Position-Specific Details:
Location: This vacancy is located in the Social Services Department of LDH/OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex, Jackson, Louisiana.
Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Detail to Special Duty
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 hours day shift
Career Progression: This position is in a CPG (Career Progression Group) and may be filled as a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, or 3, depending on the applicant’s experience.
Compensation: Special Entrance Rate (SER): SSC 1 - $16.42 hourly, SSC 2 - $17.56 hourly and SSC 3 - $21.27 hourly also offers Longevity Pay up to $5.00 hourly.
Benefits of working as a Social Service Counselor at VFMC include flexible work hours, paid holidays, and paid time off.
All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening and a background check.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their applications to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex
Marsha Perry, Lacey Bradham, or Tamekia Miles
5002 LA HWY 10
Jackson, LA 70748
(225) 634-4013
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities
See all 12,148+ H-1B Visa Clinical Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Clinical Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Counselor
Verify your licensure transfers across states
H-1B approval for Clinical Counselors depends partly on the employer's state licensing requirements. Confirm your credentials meet the specific state board's standards before applying, since licensure gaps can complicate the specialty occupation argument in your petition.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Clinical Counselor roles by employers who have active Labor Condition Applications on file with DOL. This tells you which organizations have already committed to H-1B-level wages and sponsorship paperwork for counseling positions.
Document your degree's direct field alignment
USCIS scrutinizes whether your specific degree relates directly to the Clinical Counselor duties in the job description. A degree in general psychology carries more risk than one in clinical mental health counseling; gather syllabi or transcript evaluations to close that gap early.
Ask about E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Employers must be E-Verify enrolled to sponsor cap-exempt H-1B workers at qualifying nonprofits or university-affiliated clinics. Confirming enrollment status before negotiating an offer avoids situations where you discover a sponsorship barrier only after resigning a current position.
Use OFLC Wage Search to set salary expectations early
The DOL's OFLC Wage Search assigns Clinical Counselors to one of four prevailing wage levels by region and experience. Knowing your level before offer discussions prevents stalled petitions caused by employers who propose wages below what the LCA must certify.
File during the cap period for outpatient clinic roles
Most private outpatient counseling practices are cap-subject, meaning your H-1B must be filed in April for an October 1 start. Build your job search timeline backward from the lottery registration window in March, especially if you're transitioning off OPT or another expiring status.
H-1B Visa Clinical Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Counselor role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the employer's job description requires at minimum a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, social work, psychology, or a directly related field. USCIS evaluates both the position's requirements and your specific degree. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field carry higher denial risk, so the job description language matters significantly.
Which types of employers most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Counselors?
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, university counseling centers, and large behavioral health networks file the most H-1B petitions for licensed counselors. Nonprofit mental health agencies affiliated with universities may qualify as cap-exempt, allowing sponsorship outside the April lottery window. You can browse verified sponsoring employers by role on Migrate Mate.
How does state licensure affect my H-1B petition as a Clinical Counselor?
State licensure doesn't replace the specialty occupation requirement, but it reinforces it. If the employer's state requires a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, USCIS treats that licensing requirement as evidence the role demands a specific advanced degree. Applying in a state where your credentials aren't yet transferable can stall both licensure and your petition simultaneously.
Can I switch Clinical Counselor employers while on H-1B status?
Yes. Under AC21 portability rules, you can transfer your H-1B to a new employer in the same or a similar occupational classification once your petition has been approved and you've been in valid H-1B status. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current status expires, and you can begin working for them once that petition is received by USCIS.
What's the difference between cap-subject and cap-exempt sponsorship for this role?
Cap-subject employers must enter you in the H-1B lottery held each March, with work starting no earlier than October 1. Cap-exempt employers, including nonprofit research organizations, universities, and affiliated healthcare entities, can file year-round with no lottery requirement. For Clinical Counselors targeting community mental health or university settings, confirming cap-exempt status early can compress your timeline by six months or more.