H-1B Visa Counselor Jobs
Counselor roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related field. Employers in healthcare systems, universities, and community mental health organizations are the most active sponsors for licensed clinical and school counseling positions.
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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 Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Counselor
Verify your license transfers across states
H-1B approval is tied to the worksite state. Confirm your counseling license is valid or reciprocal in that state before the employer files, since USCIS scrutinizes state licensure requirements as part of specialty occupation review.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Counselor roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation code, so you're applying to organizations that have already navigated H-1B sponsorship for counseling positions.
Match your degree field to the role description
USCIS evaluates whether your specific degree field directly relates to the counseling role. A general psychology degree supporting a substance abuse counselor position may draw a Request for Evidence if the job posting doesn't require that specialization explicitly.
Request the prevailing wage tier before negotiating salary
Ask the employer which DOL prevailing wage level they're filing under using the OFLC Wage Search before you accept an offer. Level I wages are sometimes used for entry positions but can affect your ability to negotiate above the certified rate.
Confirm the employer is registered in E-Verify
Many healthcare and school district employers are required by state law or federal contract to use E-Verify. Confirming enrollment before you receive an offer prevents delays after your H-1B is approved and you're cleared to start.
Document supervised clinical hours for specialty occupation evidence
If your counseling role required post-degree supervised hours for licensure, compile those records before the petition is filed. Employers can use this documentation to strengthen the specialty occupation argument, especially for roles in clinical or school settings.
H-1B Visa Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a counselor role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field are harder to qualify. The O*NET profile for counselors and the job description both factor into how USCIS evaluates the specialty occupation requirement.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for counselors?
Hospitals, university counseling centers, community mental health agencies, school districts, and employee assistance program providers are the most common H-1B sponsors for counselors. Nonprofit healthcare organizations are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. You can browse verified sponsors on Migrate Mate filtered specifically for counseling roles.
Can I work as a counselor on H-1B if I still need supervised hours for full licensure?
Yes, but the position must still meet specialty occupation requirements at the time of filing. Some employers sponsor H-1B holders working toward full licensure if the role title and duties require a specific degree. You'll need to document how your supervised practice role requires theoretical and practical application of your degree field, which USCIS uses to assess specialty occupation eligibility.
What happens to my H-1B status if I move to a different counseling specialty or employer?
Changing employers requires the new employer to file an H-1B transfer petition before you start, and changing to a materially different counseling specialization within the same employer may require an amended petition. The 60-day grace period after your last day of employment gives you time to secure a transfer, but you can't work during that window without an approved or pending petition from the new employer.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect counselor job seekers?
Most private-sector counseling employers are subject to the 85,000-slot annual cap and must enter the lottery in March for an October 1 start date. However, nonprofit hospitals, universities, and government-affiliated mental health agencies are cap-exempt and can file at any time. Targeting cap-exempt employers shortens your timeline considerably and removes lottery risk from your job search entirely.