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 JobsPosition Purpose:
The Substance Abuse Counselor will provide individual and group counseling services to unhoused clients residing in the Los Angles General Recuperative Care Center located on the Los Angeles General Medical Center campus, in the city of Los Angeles, California. This position works collaboratively with the social work, case management, medical provider, nursing team and offsite providers to provide quality services to those most in need. The Counselor is responsible for maintaining a high standard of care within the Substance Abuse and Prevention Control (SAPC), Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) program, and State Alcohol and Other Drug Program (ADP) guidelines. The Counselor upholds JWCH’s mission to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations in Los Angeles County.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Collaborate effectively with treatment team members to ensure cohesive care.
- Conduct intake assessments, establish problem lists, and maintain accurate documentation in partnership with the program coordinator and other team members.
- Deliver high-quality treatment to an assigned caseload.
- Facilitate weekly individual counseling sessions and care coordination efforts.
- Lead various counseling groups, including Matrix, Seeking Safety, Parenting, Relapse Prevention, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Helping Women Recover, Women in Recovery, SUD Education, Life Skills, and Co-Dependency.
- Provide clients with detailed progress reports upon request.
- Utilize the Electronic Health Record system (NextGen and CHAMP) for all client documentation.
- Complete documentation within 24 hours of delivering treatment services.
- Collaborate with an integrated, multi-disciplinary team that includes the Los Angeles County Probation/Parole Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Department of Health, and other mental and behavioral health professionals.
- Remain open to feedback and explore innovative approaches to treatment.
- Maintain confidentiality of records in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
- Provide immediate support and intervention for clients in crisis, ensuring their safety and connecting them to appropriate resources.
- Engage with clients' families to provide education and support, fostering a collaborative approach to recovery.
- Assist clients in accessing community resources, including housing, employment, and social services, to support their recovery journey.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Certified Substance Use Disorder or Registered (SUD) Counselor: Must be certified or registered by one of the agencies accredited by the NCCA and recognized by DHCS, which include CADTP and CCAPP; and must adhere to all requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 8, and Title 9.
- One year of experience as a drug and alcohol counselor.
- Knowledge of and training in trauma-informed treatment and evidence-based treatment for substance abuse.
- Experience with Electronic Health Record systems.
- Experience administering the ASAM, ASI, and other substance abuse assessment tools.
- Ability to obtain an NPI number and C number by the time of hire.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license, proof of insurance, and an excellent driving record.
- Excellent written, oral, organizational, and documentation skills.
- Must be a team player, willing to receive feedback and grow professionally.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks while demonstrating the capacity to work within a team structure.
- Must maintain a current First Aid/CPR certification, physical exam, and tuberculosis test results.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in Outpatient treatment working with minority, low income and disenfranchised populations.
- Experience working with co-occurring disorders.
- Experience and knowledgeable of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) and Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention Control (SAPC) system of care.
- Bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish preferred.
- All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Employee Benefits:
At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
- Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
- 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
- Mileage reimbursement.
- Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
- Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!
Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.
JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.
Position Purpose:
The Substance Abuse Counselor will provide individual and group counseling services to unhoused clients residing in the Los Angles General Recuperative Care Center located on the Los Angeles General Medical Center campus, in the city of Los Angeles, California. This position works collaboratively with the social work, case management, medical provider, nursing team and offsite providers to provide quality services to those most in need. The Counselor is responsible for maintaining a high standard of care within the Substance Abuse and Prevention Control (SAPC), Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) program, and State Alcohol and Other Drug Program (ADP) guidelines. The Counselor upholds JWCH’s mission to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations in Los Angeles County.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Collaborate effectively with treatment team members to ensure cohesive care.
- Conduct intake assessments, establish problem lists, and maintain accurate documentation in partnership with the program coordinator and other team members.
- Deliver high-quality treatment to an assigned caseload.
- Facilitate weekly individual counseling sessions and care coordination efforts.
- Lead various counseling groups, including Matrix, Seeking Safety, Parenting, Relapse Prevention, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Helping Women Recover, Women in Recovery, SUD Education, Life Skills, and Co-Dependency.
- Provide clients with detailed progress reports upon request.
- Utilize the Electronic Health Record system (NextGen and CHAMP) for all client documentation.
- Complete documentation within 24 hours of delivering treatment services.
- Collaborate with an integrated, multi-disciplinary team that includes the Los Angeles County Probation/Parole Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Department of Health, and other mental and behavioral health professionals.
- Remain open to feedback and explore innovative approaches to treatment.
- Maintain confidentiality of records in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
- Provide immediate support and intervention for clients in crisis, ensuring their safety and connecting them to appropriate resources.
- Engage with clients' families to provide education and support, fostering a collaborative approach to recovery.
- Assist clients in accessing community resources, including housing, employment, and social services, to support their recovery journey.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Certified Substance Use Disorder or Registered (SUD) Counselor: Must be certified or registered by one of the agencies accredited by the NCCA and recognized by DHCS, which include CADTP and CCAPP; and must adhere to all requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 8, and Title 9.
- One year of experience as a drug and alcohol counselor.
- Knowledge of and training in trauma-informed treatment and evidence-based treatment for substance abuse.
- Experience with Electronic Health Record systems.
- Experience administering the ASAM, ASI, and other substance abuse assessment tools.
- Ability to obtain an NPI number and C number by the time of hire.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license, proof of insurance, and an excellent driving record.
- Excellent written, oral, organizational, and documentation skills.
- Must be a team player, willing to receive feedback and grow professionally.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks while demonstrating the capacity to work within a team structure.
- Must maintain a current First Aid/CPR certification, physical exam, and tuberculosis test results.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in Outpatient treatment working with minority, low income and disenfranchised populations.
- Experience working with co-occurring disorders.
- Experience and knowledgeable of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) and Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention Control (SAPC) system of care.
- Bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish preferred.
- All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Employee Benefits:
At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
- Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
- 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
- Mileage reimbursement.
- Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
- Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!
Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.
JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.
See all 31+ H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs.
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.