OPT Behavioral Health Case Manager Jobs
Behavioral Health Case Manager jobs on OPT involve coordinating care for clients with mental health and substance use disorders. Most roles require a bachelor's or master's in social work, psychology, or counseling, which aligns directly with OPT's degree-relatedness requirement. STEM OPT does not apply to this field.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB SUMMARY:
Provides case management activities such as monitoring, referral, application for entitlements, illness education, supportive counseling, community integration, assessments, and coordination of service delivery. Provides supportive services to individuals who are seriously mentally ill and or individuals with substance use related disorders. Services include the completion of a needs assessment and the development and implementation of individualized service plans with individuals to promote wellness in the home and community. Refer, monitor, coordinate, and advocate for services. Also responsible for maintaining client records.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- To provide case management services to individuals who meet eligibility criteria; provide assessment of the individual including determining needs and developing treatment goals based upon assessment. Maintain an active caseload as assigned.
- Functions as a coordinator of service delivery to ensure that individuals and/or their family members receive effective and appropriate treatment; makes referrals and provides advocacy when indicated. Be knowledgeable and make referrals for benefits and social supports in the community.
- To meet with individuals face to face on a regularly basis (minimum once every 90 days) in a variety of settings, including the individual's home, work site and community settings. To provide active case management services to each person on caseload every month to support successful completion of treatment goals.
- Provides supportive counseling, illness education and assists individuals in developing problem solving skills and activities of daily living which promote community integration. Monitors individuals level of functioning and assists individual to access enhanced services when needed.
- Assists individuals in developing social support network(s) and community re-integration after hospitalization or long-term treatment.
- Provides education and support to families and agencies in the community who care for or serve individuals with multiple impairments, long-term mental illness and/or substance use related concerns.
- Documents all service delivery; complies with policies and procedures established by Mount Rogers Community Services, Licensure, Medicaid, and other regulatory bodies; adheres to confidentiality standards.
- Actively participates in meetings such as supervision, clinical staffings, and committees as assigned; utilizes these meetings for active problem solving and to enhance a team approach to decision making. Keeps mandatory training up-to-date and attends training which increases case management knowledge, skills, and abilities.
OTHER DUTIES:
- May provide case management services to individuals who have forensic status. Will comply with state and federal guidelines in the documentation and monitoring of individual's status.
- Provide transportation to individuals to access services or benefits as needed.
- Will complete other job related tasks as assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must meet all knowledge, skills and abilities described in VA DBHDS Licensure manual – 12VAC35-105-1250 which includes (not inclusive):
- Knowledge of services and systems available in the community including primary health care, support services, eligibility criteria and intake processes and generic community resources;
- Knowledge of the nature of serious mental illness, intellectual disability, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders depending on the individuals served, including clinical and developmental issues;
- Knowledge of treatment modalities and intervention techniques, such as behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, family education, crisis intervention, discharge planning and service coordination;
- Skills in identifying and documenting an individual’s need for resources, services, and other supports;
- Skills in using information from assessments, evaluations, observation, and interviews to develop service plans;
- Ability to engage in and sustain ongoing relationships with individuals in services.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Must possess a combination of mental health work experience and relevant education which indicates the ability to perform case management duties.
A Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required and one year's experience in working with adults preferred.
The “Basics of Case Management” curriculum through VA DBHDS must be successfully completed within 30 days of employment. Providers of SA CM must have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields (social work, psychology, psychiatric rehabilitation, sociology, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, human services counseling) and have at least one year experience providing direct services to individuals with diagnosis of mental illness or substance abuse.
Valid Virginia Driver's License and copy of DMV safe driving record.
Mount Rogers Community Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
JOB SUMMARY:
Provides case management activities such as monitoring, referral, application for entitlements, illness education, supportive counseling, community integration, assessments, and coordination of service delivery. Provides supportive services to individuals who are seriously mentally ill and or individuals with substance use related disorders. Services include the completion of a needs assessment and the development and implementation of individualized service plans with individuals to promote wellness in the home and community. Refer, monitor, coordinate, and advocate for services. Also responsible for maintaining client records.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- To provide case management services to individuals who meet eligibility criteria; provide assessment of the individual including determining needs and developing treatment goals based upon assessment. Maintain an active caseload as assigned.
- Functions as a coordinator of service delivery to ensure that individuals and/or their family members receive effective and appropriate treatment; makes referrals and provides advocacy when indicated. Be knowledgeable and make referrals for benefits and social supports in the community.
- To meet with individuals face to face on a regularly basis (minimum once every 90 days) in a variety of settings, including the individual's home, work site and community settings. To provide active case management services to each person on caseload every month to support successful completion of treatment goals.
- Provides supportive counseling, illness education and assists individuals in developing problem solving skills and activities of daily living which promote community integration. Monitors individuals level of functioning and assists individual to access enhanced services when needed.
- Assists individuals in developing social support network(s) and community re-integration after hospitalization or long-term treatment.
- Provides education and support to families and agencies in the community who care for or serve individuals with multiple impairments, long-term mental illness and/or substance use related concerns.
- Documents all service delivery; complies with policies and procedures established by Mount Rogers Community Services, Licensure, Medicaid, and other regulatory bodies; adheres to confidentiality standards.
- Actively participates in meetings such as supervision, clinical staffings, and committees as assigned; utilizes these meetings for active problem solving and to enhance a team approach to decision making. Keeps mandatory training up-to-date and attends training which increases case management knowledge, skills, and abilities.
OTHER DUTIES:
- May provide case management services to individuals who have forensic status. Will comply with state and federal guidelines in the documentation and monitoring of individual's status.
- Provide transportation to individuals to access services or benefits as needed.
- Will complete other job related tasks as assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must meet all knowledge, skills and abilities described in VA DBHDS Licensure manual – 12VAC35-105-1250 which includes (not inclusive):
- Knowledge of services and systems available in the community including primary health care, support services, eligibility criteria and intake processes and generic community resources;
- Knowledge of the nature of serious mental illness, intellectual disability, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders depending on the individuals served, including clinical and developmental issues;
- Knowledge of treatment modalities and intervention techniques, such as behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, family education, crisis intervention, discharge planning and service coordination;
- Skills in identifying and documenting an individual’s need for resources, services, and other supports;
- Skills in using information from assessments, evaluations, observation, and interviews to develop service plans;
- Ability to engage in and sustain ongoing relationships with individuals in services.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Must possess a combination of mental health work experience and relevant education which indicates the ability to perform case management duties.
A Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required and one year's experience in working with adults preferred.
The “Basics of Case Management” curriculum through VA DBHDS must be successfully completed within 30 days of employment. Providers of SA CM must have at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields (social work, psychology, psychiatric rehabilitation, sociology, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, human services counseling) and have at least one year experience providing direct services to individuals with diagnosis of mental illness or substance abuse.
Valid Virginia Driver's License and copy of DMV safe driving record.
Mount Rogers Community Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
See all OPT Behavioral Health Case Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Behavioral Health Case Manager
Target employers with existing H-1B sponsorship history
Hospitals, community mental health centers, and large nonprofits are more likely to sponsor visas long-term. Check whether a prospective employer has sponsored behavioral health or social work roles before committing to the application process.
Confirm your role meets OPT's degree-relatedness requirement
Your Behavioral Health Case Manager position must directly relate to your degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. Document the connection clearly in writing before your start date to protect your OPT authorization if USCIS ever reviews it.
Pursue licensure-eligible roles early
Many states require a Licensed Professional Counselor or LCSW credential for advancement. Starting supervised clinical hours during OPT builds toward licensure and signals long-term commitment to employers considering visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
Address your work authorization timeline upfront
Behavioral health employers often run long hiring cycles with credentialing checks. Disclose your OPT end date and any pending STEM extension or H-1B visa plans early so employers can plan around your authorization window without surprises.
Emphasize language skills and cultural competency
Bilingual case managers are in high demand at community health organizations. If you speak Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, or another language common among underserved populations, lead with that skill. It directly addresses hiring pain points and strengthens your sponsorship case.
Look for roles at federally qualified health centers
FQHCs and community mental health centers frequently hire international graduates and are familiar with OPT work authorization. They also tend to offer structured supervision toward licensure, making them strong early-career fits for behavioral health OPT students.
Behavioral Health Case Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Behavioral Health Case Manager jobs qualify for OPT?
Yes, as long as the role directly relates to your degree. A case manager position requires a background in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field, which satisfies OPT's degree-relatedness requirement. Before accepting an offer, confirm with your DSO that your specific job description and degree field are clearly connected.
Does a Behavioral Health Case Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Behavioral health and social work fields are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so a 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. You'll have 12 months of standard OPT. Planning your H-1B or other long-term visa strategy well before your OPT expires is essential.
How hard is it to find an employer who will sponsor an H-1B for this role?
It's more limited than in tech or engineering, but sponsorship does happen. Large hospital systems, behavioral health networks, and some nonprofits have sponsored H-1B petitions for case managers and clinical social workers. Targeting organizations with a documented history of sponsorship improves your odds significantly. Browse Behavioral Health Case Manager roles on Migrate Mate to find employers open to OPT candidates.
Can I work as a Behavioral Health Case Manager while my OPT application is pending?
No. You cannot begin working until your Employment Authorization Document is approved and your start date has arrived. Applying for OPT at least 90 days before your intended start date gives you the widest buffer. If your EAD is delayed, you may need to negotiate a later start date with your employer.
Does a master's degree improve my sponsorship prospects in this field?
Yes, meaningfully. A Master of Social Work or master's in counseling psychology opens access to licensed clinical roles, which are harder to fill and more likely to justify H-1B sponsorship. Employers sponsoring a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor have a stronger business case for USCIS than they would for an entry-level coordinator role.