OPT Child Psychiatrist Jobs
Child Psychiatrist roles qualify for OPT and STEM OPT extension if your degree is in medicine or a related STEM field. Most positions require an MD, DO, and completion of a psychiatry residency. Employers in hospital systems, community mental health centers, and academic medical centers regularly sponsor international graduates for H-1B visa.
Find OPT Child Psychiatrist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 32+ Child Psychiatrist jobs










See all 32+ Child Psychiatrist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Child Psychiatrist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.
As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.
We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.
Program Overview:
Youth Villages' residential programs in Tennessee and Georgia provide safe, nurturing environments for youth ages 6 to 17 with complex behavioral and mental health challenges. These programs are offered across three types of facilities—secure facilities, open campuses, and group homes—each designed to meet the individual needs of youth exhibiting a range of referral behaviors, including aggression, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and problem sexual behavior.
Our residential campuses deliver an intensive treatment program that strikes a unique balance between structure and freedom, all while preparing youth for continued success outside of a residential setting. A key focus is to help each youth step down to the least restrictive treatment option possible by developing the skills they need to thrive in less structured environments through trauma-informed care, clinical interventions, life skills building, and recreation therapy (in selection locations). Most youth also attend fully accredited schools located on our campuses, ensuring their educational progress continues alongside therapeutic support.
Position Overview:
The Psychiatrist evaluates patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental, or a strictly psychiatric one.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Psychiatrist:
- Provides psychopharmacological assessments and reviews
- Provides psychiatric evaluations for new patients
- Communicates effectively with other team members
- Communicates with parents about medication recommendations
- Participates in clinical rounds and other clinical meetings
- Fulfills on-call responsibilities (including but not limited to providing necessary orders, conducting physical assessments of youth, and providing consultation to nurses and/or program staff)
- Maintains compliance with all required trainings, re-certifications, and/or licensing requirements/renewals
- Completes daily documentation (such as clinical notes, contact notes, milieu notes, and precautionary notes) in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
- Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Information:
- The supervision and treatment of youth requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, running, climbing stairs, and physical agility.
- Applicants must be able to participate in physical interventions when necessary and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally more than 100 pounds.
- Applicants are required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR trainings and pass an agility and strength evaluation.
- Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license.
- Schedule is flexible and may require some weekend hours.
Qualifications
- Licensed physician (required)
- Completion of a board-approved child/adolescent psychiatric residency (required)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Basic computer knowledge
- Ability to maintain a flexible schedule
Youth Villages Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
- 401(k)
- Time off:
-
- 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
- 12 paid sick days per year
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
- Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
- Growth & development through continuous training
- Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities
Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.
Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.
See all 32+ OPT Child Psychiatrist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Child Psychiatrist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Child Psychiatrist
Prioritize hospital systems and academic medical centers
Large hospital networks and university-affiliated medical centers have established immigration legal teams and routinely sponsor international psychiatrists. These employers are far more likely to support OPT and initiate H-1B visa sponsorship than small private practices.
Confirm your OPT authorization covers clinical work
Child Psychiatry is a direct patient care role. Verify with your DSO that your authorized field of study aligns with your clinical duties before accepting any position. Mismatched authorization can jeopardize your OPT status entirely.
Start the H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
OPT authorization is temporary. Raise H-1B sponsorship in the final interview stage or immediately after receiving an offer. Employers need lead time to engage immigration counsel and file before the April lottery deadline.
Target community mental health centers facing psychiatrist shortages
Community mental health centers in underserved areas face persistent psychiatrist shortages and often offer loan forgiveness through NHSC programs. Their hiring urgency makes them more flexible and willing to sponsor international candidates than well-staffed urban employers.
Highlight your board eligibility or certification status clearly
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship completion and ABPN board eligibility are strong differentiators. Lead with these credentials in your application materials so employers immediately understand your readiness to practice independently.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly Child Psychiatrist openings
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching there saves time by surfacing Child Psychiatrist roles where OPT and visa sponsorship are already part of the hiring conversation.
Child Psychiatrist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Child Psychiatrist on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in medicine or a STEM-eligible field and your work directly relates to that field of study. Child Psychiatry is a clinical specialty requiring an MD or DO and completed residency training. Your DSO must confirm the role aligns with your authorized field before you begin working.
Do Child Psychiatrist employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. Child Psychiatry faces a documented national shortage, which gives international candidates meaningful leverage. Hospital systems, academic medical centers, and behavioral health organizations regularly sponsor psychiatrists for H-1B. Smaller private practices are less likely to sponsor, so targeting larger institutional employers improves your chances considerably.
Does Child Psychiatry qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree classification. If your medical degree program was classified under a STEM-designated CIP code at your institution, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm this with your DSO before relying on it for employment planning, since classification varies by school.
What documents do I need to show a Child Psychiatrist employer for OPT work authorization?
You'll need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card showing your authorized work period, your F-1 visa, your current I-20, and your passport. Employers may also request your USMLE score transcripts, medical degree, and residency or fellowship completion certificate as part of standard credentialing.
Where can I find Child Psychiatrist jobs that support OPT and visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and F-1 status. You can browse Child Psychiatrist listings from employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates, so you're not wasting applications on positions that won't support your visa situation. Browse current openings directly on Migrate Mate.