OPT Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner jobs on OPT require active APRN licensure, which varies by state and can take weeks to obtain after graduation. Most positions fall under STEM OPT if your nursing program qualifies. Employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, given the persistent shortage of psychiatric NPs nationwide.
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Get Access To All JobsPMHNP – Behavioral Health
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday (8 AM - 5 PM)
Location: Littleton Recovery, Lancaster, and Whitefield Clinics
Role: Nurse Practitioner – Psychiatric Mental Health
Salary: Competitive base salary PLUS wRVU productivity eligible
Job Description:
North Country Healthcare (NCH) is seeking an experienced Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to join our outpatient behavioral health team in northern New Hampshire.
The PMHNP will evaluate, diagnose, and treat a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders. Responsibilities include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing patient care.
Experience treating substance use disorders (SUD) and providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is required, as addiction treatment is a significant component of this position.
The ideal candidate is comfortable managing diverse psychiatric needs, values collaborative care, and embraces evidence-based, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Psychiatric Care: Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnose and treat common mental health conditions, and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Medication Management: Prescribe, monitor, and adjust psychiatric medications, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and provide ongoing follow-up care.
- SUD and MAT Treatment: Assess and treat substance use disorders, provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and manage co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
- Patient Education: Provide education on mental health, medications, recovery strategies, overdose prevention, and harm reduction.
- Care Coordination: Collaborate with primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, recovery coaches, and community resources to support comprehensive patient care.
- Clinical Documentation and Safety: Maintain accurate documentation, follow regulatory and prescribing standards, and participate in quality-improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Graduate of an accredited PMHNP program with national certification.
- Current or eligible for New Hampshire APRN licensure.
- Experience independently managing a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses.
- Prior SUD treatment and MAT experience required.
- Strong clinical judgment, communication, and collaborative care skills.
- Commitment to patient-centered, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction practices.
Benefits:
- Competitive base compensation; wRVU productivity eligible
- Commencement Bonus
- Student Loan Support
- Relocation Assistance
- No weekend or Holiday shifts
- 5 weeks of vacation, 5 days sick time
- 1 week CME time and $4,500 CME funds
- Attractive benefit package
- Retirement plans
- Malpractice insurance with tail
Why Rural New Hampshire?
- Breathtaking Scenery: Enjoy stunning landscapes and outdoor activities year-round.
- Community Connection: Become a valued member of a supportive, small-town community.
- Balanced Lifestyle: Experience a relaxed pace of life with fewer hassles.
- No sales or state income tax!
What We Offer:
- Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated medical team.
- Modern Facilities: Access to advanced medical technology.
- Attractive Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development.
About us:
North Country Healthcare is a leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals and delivers integrated patient care through three community critical access hospitals, several rural health clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Member organizations include Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, and North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency in Littleton. NCH is proud to be the largest employer in the North Country.
We offer services in allergy/ENT, addiction & recovery, audiology, cardiac, dermatology, diabetes care/education, emergency medicine, GI, general surgery, hospice & palliative care, imaging, infusion, laboratory & pathology, neurology, OBGYN, orthopaedics, pain management, podiatry, primary care, pulmonary, respiratory, sleep medicine, speech, physical, & occupational therapy, wound care, and MORE!
Application Instructions:
Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!
PMHNP – Behavioral Health
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday (8 AM - 5 PM)
Location: Littleton Recovery, Lancaster, and Whitefield Clinics
Role: Nurse Practitioner – Psychiatric Mental Health
Salary: Competitive base salary PLUS wRVU productivity eligible
Job Description:
North Country Healthcare (NCH) is seeking an experienced Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to join our outpatient behavioral health team in northern New Hampshire.
The PMHNP will evaluate, diagnose, and treat a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders. Responsibilities include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing patient care.
Experience treating substance use disorders (SUD) and providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is required, as addiction treatment is a significant component of this position.
The ideal candidate is comfortable managing diverse psychiatric needs, values collaborative care, and embraces evidence-based, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Psychiatric Care: Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnose and treat common mental health conditions, and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Medication Management: Prescribe, monitor, and adjust psychiatric medications, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and provide ongoing follow-up care.
- SUD and MAT Treatment: Assess and treat substance use disorders, provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and manage co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
- Patient Education: Provide education on mental health, medications, recovery strategies, overdose prevention, and harm reduction.
- Care Coordination: Collaborate with primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, recovery coaches, and community resources to support comprehensive patient care.
- Clinical Documentation and Safety: Maintain accurate documentation, follow regulatory and prescribing standards, and participate in quality-improvement initiatives.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Graduate of an accredited PMHNP program with national certification.
- Current or eligible for New Hampshire APRN licensure.
- Experience independently managing a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses.
- Prior SUD treatment and MAT experience required.
- Strong clinical judgment, communication, and collaborative care skills.
- Commitment to patient-centered, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction practices.
Benefits:
- Competitive base compensation; wRVU productivity eligible
- Commencement Bonus
- Student Loan Support
- Relocation Assistance
- No weekend or Holiday shifts
- 5 weeks of vacation, 5 days sick time
- 1 week CME time and $4,500 CME funds
- Attractive benefit package
- Retirement plans
- Malpractice insurance with tail
Why Rural New Hampshire?
- Breathtaking Scenery: Enjoy stunning landscapes and outdoor activities year-round.
- Community Connection: Become a valued member of a supportive, small-town community.
- Balanced Lifestyle: Experience a relaxed pace of life with fewer hassles.
- No sales or state income tax!
What We Offer:
- Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated medical team.
- Modern Facilities: Access to advanced medical technology.
- Attractive Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development.
About us:
North Country Healthcare is a leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals and delivers integrated patient care through three community critical access hospitals, several rural health clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Member organizations include Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, and North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency in Littleton. NCH is proud to be the largest employer in the North Country.
We offer services in allergy/ENT, addiction & recovery, audiology, cardiac, dermatology, diabetes care/education, emergency medicine, GI, general surgery, hospice & palliative care, imaging, infusion, laboratory & pathology, neurology, OBGYN, orthopaedics, pain management, podiatry, primary care, pulmonary, respiratory, sleep medicine, speech, physical, & occupational therapy, wound care, and MORE!
Application Instructions:
Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!
See all 38+ OPT Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Verify your STEM OPT eligibility early
Psychiatric nursing programs with a STEM-designated CIP code qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your program's classification with your DSO before graduation so you can plan your job search around a full three-year OPT window.
Obtain your APRN license before your start date
State licensing boards require a separate application after passing the PMHNP-BC or ANCC exam. Some states take six to ten weeks to process. Start the application immediately after passing your boards to avoid gaps in your OPT employment authorization.
Target health systems with H-1B sponsorship history
Large hospital networks and federally qualified health centers regularly sponsor psychiatric NPs on H-1B visas. Focus your applications on employers with established immigration support teams, as they are more likely to navigate the sponsorship process efficiently on your behalf.
Understand the specialty occupation standard for NPs
Mental Health NP roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules because they require a graduate nursing degree and APRN licensure. Framing your role's clinical and diagnostic responsibilities clearly in your resume strengthens the employer's petition case.
Document your clinical hours and supervisory relationships
Some employers require supervised practice periods for new APRNs, which still counts as valid OPT employment. Keep written records of your supervising physician or collaborating provider arrangement, as USCIS may request this documentation during OPT or H-1B adjudication.
Negotiate a sponsorship commitment before accepting an offer
Ask employers directly about their H-1B sponsorship policy during the offer stage, not after you start. Behavioral health settings with ongoing shortages are often willing to commit in writing, giving you security before your OPT authorization period expires.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner on OPT without a Social Security Number?
You can begin the job search and sign an offer letter without an SSN, but you cannot start working until you have one. Apply for your SSN as soon as you have a confirmed employment start date and a job offer letter. Processing takes one to two weeks at most Social Security Administration offices.
Does a Mental Health NP role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree program's CIP code. Some psychiatric and advanced practice nursing programs carry STEM-designated classifications, which qualify you for the 24-month extension on top of your initial 12 months. Check with your DSO and confirm the CIP code for your degree before assuming eligibility.
How do I find Mental Health Nurse Practitioner employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on Mental Health NP roles at employers who have sponsored international workers before, saving significant time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship after the fact.
Can I work as a Mental Health NP in multiple states on a single OPT authorization?
Yes. Your OPT work authorization is federal and not tied to a specific state. However, APRN licensure is state-specific, so you need a valid license in every state where you practice clinically. If you move or take a telehealth role covering multiple states, verify licensure requirements for each jurisdiction before starting work there.
What happens to my OPT if my employer's H-1B petition is denied?
If your H-1B petition is denied and your OPT is still valid, you can continue working for that employer or seek a new position. If your OPT has already expired, you enter unlawful status unless you have another valid authorization. File H-1B petitions as early as your OPT timeline allows to maximize overlap and reduce risk.