H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
Substance Abuse Counselor roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or a related field. Employers in community health centers, hospital systems, and residential treatment programs regularly file LCAs with DOL to hire internationally trained counselors.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
New Mexico Department of Health's Turquoise Lodge Hospital is a facility that provides substance abuse treatment services to New Mexico residents. We specialize in medical detoxification, social rehabilitation services, and Intensive Outpatient services.
The Clinical Support Team contributes to the Department by supporting TLH as a safety net hospital and providing trauma informed care to individuals seeking treatment for drug/alcohol addiction.
PURPOSE: This job exists to provide support to patients in an inpatient and outpatient setting who are working toward recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
Responsibilities: This position is responsible for conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, providing in-person and telehealth educational groups, and case management within a multi-disciplinary hospital that treats individuals with substance use disorders in an inpatient and outpatient setting.
This position will provide optimum counseling, intervention and treatment services to high-risk drug and alcohol addicted patients at Turquoise Lodge. Incumbent may also provide service to patients with dual diagnosis.
CUSTOMERS: Adults who present with substance misuse and co-occurring disorders and staff of Turquoise Lodge Hospital.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All applicants for this position must possess a license to practice as a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA), a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) or a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or higher in accordance with the Counseling and Therapy Health Practice Act, Sections 61-9A-1 through 61-9A-30 NMSA 1978 and 16.27.1 through 16.27.23 NMAC, as applicable. You must include your license or certificate number in the "License" section of the application form.
This position is designated a safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Employment is subject to nationwide criminal background check and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Successful completion of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbent will work in an acute care hospital and an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Exposure to potentially violent patients in volatile situations requiring crisis interventions may be required. Some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Lorena Fuggiti (505)383-1119 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
INTRODUCTION
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
New Mexico Department of Health's Turquoise Lodge Hospital is a facility that provides substance abuse treatment services to New Mexico residents. We specialize in medical detoxification, social rehabilitation services, and Intensive Outpatient services.
The Clinical Support Team contributes to the Department by supporting TLH as a safety net hospital and providing trauma informed care to individuals seeking treatment for drug/alcohol addiction.
PURPOSE: This job exists to provide support to patients in an inpatient and outpatient setting who are working toward recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
Responsibilities: This position is responsible for conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, providing in-person and telehealth educational groups, and case management within a multi-disciplinary hospital that treats individuals with substance use disorders in an inpatient and outpatient setting.
This position will provide optimum counseling, intervention and treatment services to high-risk drug and alcohol addicted patients at Turquoise Lodge. Incumbent may also provide service to patients with dual diagnosis.
CUSTOMERS: Adults who present with substance misuse and co-occurring disorders and staff of Turquoise Lodge Hospital.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All applicants for this position must possess a license to practice as a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA), a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) or a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or higher in accordance with the Counseling and Therapy Health Practice Act, Sections 61-9A-1 through 61-9A-30 NMSA 1978 and 16.27.1 through 16.27.23 NMAC, as applicable. You must include your license or certificate number in the "License" section of the application form.
This position is designated a safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing. Employment is subject to nationwide criminal background check and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Successful completion of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbent will work in an acute care hospital and an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Exposure to potentially violent patients in volatile situations requiring crisis interventions may be required. Some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Lorena Fuggiti (505)383-1119 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
See all 41+ H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Substance Abuse Counselor
Verify your credentials meet specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your degree to directly relate to substance abuse counseling. A psychology, social work, or clinical counseling degree typically qualifies. A general business or unrelated degree will likely trigger an RFE, so gather transcript evaluations before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Substance Abuse Counselor roles by employers who have filed LCAs for this occupation. That history signals an established sponsorship process rather than a first-time filing that may stall.
Check required state licensure before accepting an offer
Most states require a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential. Confirm you can obtain the license before your start date, since employers often list licensure as a condition of employment and H-1B approval.
Confirm the employer pays DOL prevailing wage for your level
Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 21-1011 in your target metro area. Your offered wage must meet or exceed the Level I through Level IV threshold for that location, and the LCA certifies this before USCIS adjudicates the petition.
Ask the employer about cap-exempt status during outreach
Hospitals, nonprofit community health centers, and university-affiliated clinics may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. Filing outside the annual lottery means faster sponsorship and no October 1 start-date constraint, which matters for clinical roles with immediate patient caseloads.
Request premium processing if your start date is firm
Substance Abuse Counselor positions often have hard caseload coverage deadlines. Premium processing moves USCIS adjudication to 15 business days. Confirm with the employer upfront whether they'll cover this fee, since USCIS requires it to be filed alongside the I-129 petition.
H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substance Abuse Counselor role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a directly related clinical field. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree, regardless of field, can fail the specialty occupation test. Review the O*NET profile for SOC code 21-1011 to confirm the degree requirement before an employer files the LCA.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Substance Abuse Counselors?
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, residential treatment facilities, and university-affiliated behavioral health programs are the most consistent sponsors. Nonprofit community health centers often qualify as cap-exempt employers, which lets them file year-round without competing in the annual H-1B lottery. You can browse roles filtered by employer LCA history on Migrate Mate.
Does my state counseling license affect H-1B sponsorship?
It can. Many employers list a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor credential as a condition of hire, and USCIS may treat the license requirement as part of the specialty occupation analysis. If you're still in the licensure process, clarify with the employer whether supervised hours completed abroad count toward your state's requirements before the petition is filed.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement apply to this role?
Before filing the H-1B petition, the employer must certify an LCA with DOL stating the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Substance Abuse Counselors in the specific work location. Prevailing wages vary significantly by metro area and experience level. You can look up the applicable threshold using the OFLC Wage Search with SOC code 21-1011 and your target city.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Substance Abuse Counselor employer?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer once they file a new I-129 petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you've maintained valid status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA and confirm the role still meets specialty occupation standards under their organization's structure.