J-1 Visa Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs
Behavioral Health Therapist roles in the U.S. most commonly qualify for J-1 sponsorship under the Trainee or Research Scholar category, depending on your career stage and program structure. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, not the hiring employer. No lottery exists for J-1 visas, but some categories carry a two-year home residency requirement.
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INTRODUCTION
Performs intake assessments on patients, coordinates care plans, and facilitates discharge planning under direct oversight of management.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Understand and follow orientation materials, policies and procedures.
- Identify, engage in and document indirect services on behalf of patients.
- Practice written and oral communication skills with co-workers, supervisors and other professionals.
- Maintain client records/files.
- Conduct initial intake, screening and assessment interviews with patients.
- Utilize the results of a multidimensional assessment to match patients' needs to services offered.
- Develop clear, timely and appropriate service or care plans with measurable objectives.
- Implement case management services with patients.
- Provide direct services to individuals, families or groups.
- Advocate on behalf of patients with agencies and other professionals to help patients obtain quality services.
- Participate in research/program evaluation projects.
- Read and discuss relevant articles, journals or books that apply to the practicum setting.
- Examine and apply the appropriate Code of Ethics to the practicum setting.
- Discuss all cases with supervisor.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings.
- Participate in public relations and fundraising efforts.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to utilize a variety of computer programs and applications to manage work, familiarity with Windows and Office programs.
- Ability to communicate concisely, orally and in writing, with patients, families, and staff and to collaborate with members of the health care, leadership team and community agencies to enhance care of the patient.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Ability to work with diverse patient groups and their families.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program from an accredited school required.
- Minimum 21 years of age required.
- Other Duties: This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.
- Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, EQUIPMENT USAGE, WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Position is relatively sedentary in a normal office administrative environment involving minimum exposure to physical risks. Occasionally requiring exertion of up to 30 pounds of force. Will use office equipment such as a computer/laptop, monitor, keyboard, and a general workstation set-up. Inside environmental conditions and potential for verbal and physical threats from youth. Exposure to normal childhood diseases. Outside environmental conditions and shopping/unloading in all weather.
Care and respect for others is more than a commitment at Boys Town – it is the foundation of who we are and what we do.
At Boys Town, we cultivate a culture of belonging for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better business results.
About Boys Town:
Boys Town has been changing the way America cares for children and families since 1917. With over a century of service, our employees have helped us grow from a small boardinghouse in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, into one of the largest national child and family care organizations in the country. With the addition of Boys Town National Research Hospital in 1977, our services branched out into the health care and research fields, offering even more career opportunities to those looking to make a real difference.
Our employees are our #1 supporters when it comes to achieving Boys Town's mission, which is why we are proud of their commitment to making the world a better place for children, families, patients, and communities. A unique feature for employees and their dependents enrolled in medical benefits are reduced to no cost visits for services performed by a Boys Town provider at a Boys Town location. Additional costs savings for the employee and their dependents are found in our pharmacy benefits with low to zero-dollar co-pays on certain maintenance drugs. Boys Town takes your mental health seriously with no cost mental health visits to an in-network provider. We help our employees prepare for retirement with a generous match on their 401K or 401K Roth account. Additional benefits include tuition reimbursement, parenting resources from our experts and professional development opportunities within the organization, just to name a few. Working at Boys Town is more than just a job, it is a way of life.
This advertisement describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. Boys Town is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. To request a disability-related accommodation in the application process, contact us at 1-877-639-6003.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Behavioral Health Therapist
Verify your licensure transfers across borders
Most U.S. states require behavioral health therapists to hold or be working toward state licensure. Confirm whether your home-country credentials qualify for a reciprocal or provisional license before targeting host employers, since unlicensed applicants narrow their placement options significantly.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar category
Trainee J-1 status suits early-career therapists gaining structured clinical experience post-degree. Research Scholar fits those conducting academic or program-evaluation research at a university or institute. Applying under the wrong category can delay or void your DS-2019 issuance.
Search for roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for Behavioral Health Therapist positions at U.S. employers that have a documented history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors, so you can focus your applications on organizations already familiar with the DS-2019 process.
Confirm your host has an MOU with a designated sponsor
Your host employer must partner with a State Department-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019. Ask any prospective employer whether they have an active agreement with a sponsor such as CIEE or Cultural Vistas before accepting an offer.
Get your training plan reviewed before signing
J-1 Trainee programs require a detailed training plan specifying learning objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation intervals. Have your designated sponsor review the plan before you and the host employer finalize it, since vague objectives are the most common cause of program rejection.
Assess two-year home residency requirement early
Behavioral health therapists sponsored under certain J-1 categories may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e), particularly if government funding is involved. Determine your 212(e) status before accepting an offer, as it affects future H-1B or green card eligibility.
Behavioral Health Therapist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Behavioral Health Therapist JobsBehavioral Health Therapist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 category fits a Behavioral Health Therapist role?
It depends on your career stage. If you've completed a relevant degree and are seeking structured clinical training, the Trainee category is typically the right fit. If you hold an advanced degree and are conducting research or program evaluation at a university or research institute, the Research Scholar category applies. The hiring employer and your designated sponsor will confirm the correct category based on your training plan and host site.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, the employer or someone else?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. The employer is your host site. The designated sponsor, which could be an organization like CIEE or Cultural Vistas, issues the DS-2019 form and is legally responsible for monitoring your program compliance. Your host employer must have an active agreement with a designated sponsor before you can receive a DS-2019.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 behavioral health therapists?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Behavioral Health Therapist roles at U.S. employers with J-1 hosting history, so you can prioritize organizations already familiar with the exchange visitor process. Host employers in behavioral health are often community mental health centers, hospital systems, university counseling centers, and nonprofit behavioral health agencies. Targeting employers with prior J-1 experience significantly reduces the time spent educating HR on the DS-2019 process.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to behavioral health therapists?
It may. The two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e) applies when your J-1 program is funded by your home government or the U.S. government, or when your skill is on your home country's skills list. Many behavioral health specialties appear on country-specific skills lists. If the requirement applies, you must return home for two years before changing to most other visa categories, including H-1B, unless you obtain a waiver.
What documents should I prepare before approaching a potential host employer?
Have your degree transcripts, professional licensure documentation, a current resume formatted for U.S. clinical settings, and a written description of your training goals ready before outreach. Designated sponsors require evidence that your background directly relates to the proposed training. If your credentials are from outside the U.S., obtain a professional credential evaluation from a recognized evaluation service, since many host employers and sponsors require it before issuing a DS-2019.
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