OPT Mental Health Technician Jobs
Mental Health Technician roles are among the more OPT-accessible positions in healthcare, since many employers hire for direct patient care experience over advanced licensure. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, so confirm whether your program qualifies before applying.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker
Reports to: Headmaster
Location: Forest Heights Lower School; San Antonio, Texas
Supported by: District Mental Health Team
Exemption Status/Test: Exempt
Salary Range: $53,000 - 63,000 commensurate with education and years of experience
Primary Purpose:
Provide responsive services to individual campuses and the campus community through wide Mental Health & Wellness Initiatives, Crisis Management; Interventions for Targeted Students; Trainings; Data Collection and Analysis. This position will be for individual campus needs.
Qualifications
Education/Certification: Master’s Degree
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (currently under supervision); Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) (currently under supervision); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years of school or community-based counseling or social work experience in a K-12 public school preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the types of services provided by mental health counselors and social workers
- Proficient in technology, including computer skills, Microsoft applications, Google
- Ability to present to students, parents, and staff in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings
- Knowledge of counseling procedures and protocols
- Knowledge of interventions and best practices for student
- Adept at data collection and analysis
- Ability to create PowerPoints for campus-wide professional development
- Knowledge on best practices and research on mental health
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Guidance Curriculum:
- Conduct campus wide presentations for the students/staff
- Use technology to upload and share lessons and resources, as needed
Individual Counseling:
- Provide short-term, solution-focused counseling for general education students
- Provide counseling for special education students who require counseling according to their mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Small Group Counseling:
- Provide small group counseling for general education students, as needed
Accountability:
- Tracking of crisis response activities
- Keep a daily log of activities as it relates to campus counseling supports
- Maintain an Outlook calendar
Crisis Management:
- Provide immediate support to dysregulated students
- Provide risk/threat assessment services for students who have been identified as at risk of self-harm or harm to others
- Conduct risk-assessments, as appropriate
- Follow up with crisis intervention reports, as required
- Serve as a member of the campus behavioral threat assessment team
Referrals:
- Provide community resources to school staff/families, as necessary
Student Management:
- Consult with school leadership regarding specific students and general trends in student population
Policy Reports and Law:
- Support and follow local, state, and federal rules and policies
Communications and Community Relations:
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with headmasters, staff, parents, and the community
District Trainings:
- Attend mental health professional development trainings as required by the district and TEA
Personal Qualities & Values:
Passionately Committed:
With humility and curiosity, we seek to know more about our core purpose; seek to share (with each other and with others externally as an advocate); seek to live the mission ourselves with relentless pursuit and intrinsic motivation; seek to understand our work and how it serves the mission, which should result in getting the right stuff done with measurable results because we love actualization – not just the theory
Servant’s Heart:
The foundational element of having a servant’s heart is the acknowledgement of inherent dignity in their fellow human. Someone with a servant’s heart believes that their work is to promote the development of those around them and make it possible for others to be successful in serving the mission of the organization.
Team Player:
We believe our mission can only be accomplished through collaboration and receive true joy in being a part of something greater than ourselves; Each of us is one part of a whole, each with distinct roles, expertise, and responsibilities; working together in synchronicity.
Compensation:
Great Hearts offers a competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate with talent, experience, and education.
Additional Requirements:
Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Texas fingerprint clearance card.
Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
Travel required: May need to travel locally to the various academies within the metro area.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Title: Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker
Reports to: Headmaster
Location: Forest Heights Lower School; San Antonio, Texas
Supported by: District Mental Health Team
Exemption Status/Test: Exempt
Salary Range: $53,000 - 63,000 commensurate with education and years of experience
Primary Purpose:
Provide responsive services to individual campuses and the campus community through wide Mental Health & Wellness Initiatives, Crisis Management; Interventions for Targeted Students; Trainings; Data Collection and Analysis. This position will be for individual campus needs.
Qualifications
Education/Certification: Master’s Degree
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (currently under supervision); Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) (currently under supervision); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years of school or community-based counseling or social work experience in a K-12 public school preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the types of services provided by mental health counselors and social workers
- Proficient in technology, including computer skills, Microsoft applications, Google
- Ability to present to students, parents, and staff in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings
- Knowledge of counseling procedures and protocols
- Knowledge of interventions and best practices for student
- Adept at data collection and analysis
- Ability to create PowerPoints for campus-wide professional development
- Knowledge on best practices and research on mental health
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Guidance Curriculum:
- Conduct campus wide presentations for the students/staff
- Use technology to upload and share lessons and resources, as needed
Individual Counseling:
- Provide short-term, solution-focused counseling for general education students
- Provide counseling for special education students who require counseling according to their mandated Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Small Group Counseling:
- Provide small group counseling for general education students, as needed
Accountability:
- Tracking of crisis response activities
- Keep a daily log of activities as it relates to campus counseling supports
- Maintain an Outlook calendar
Crisis Management:
- Provide immediate support to dysregulated students
- Provide risk/threat assessment services for students who have been identified as at risk of self-harm or harm to others
- Conduct risk-assessments, as appropriate
- Follow up with crisis intervention reports, as required
- Serve as a member of the campus behavioral threat assessment team
Referrals:
- Provide community resources to school staff/families, as necessary
Student Management:
- Consult with school leadership regarding specific students and general trends in student population
Policy Reports and Law:
- Support and follow local, state, and federal rules and policies
Communications and Community Relations:
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with headmasters, staff, parents, and the community
District Trainings:
- Attend mental health professional development trainings as required by the district and TEA
Personal Qualities & Values:
Passionately Committed:
With humility and curiosity, we seek to know more about our core purpose; seek to share (with each other and with others externally as an advocate); seek to live the mission ourselves with relentless pursuit and intrinsic motivation; seek to understand our work and how it serves the mission, which should result in getting the right stuff done with measurable results because we love actualization – not just the theory
Servant’s Heart:
The foundational element of having a servant’s heart is the acknowledgement of inherent dignity in their fellow human. Someone with a servant’s heart believes that their work is to promote the development of those around them and make it possible for others to be successful in serving the mission of the organization.
Team Player:
We believe our mission can only be accomplished through collaboration and receive true joy in being a part of something greater than ourselves; Each of us is one part of a whole, each with distinct roles, expertise, and responsibilities; working together in synchronicity.
Compensation:
Great Hearts offers a competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate with talent, experience, and education.
Additional Requirements:
Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Texas fingerprint clearance card.
Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
Travel required: May need to travel locally to the various academies within the metro area.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all 7,329+ OPT Mental Health Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mental Health Technician
Target employers already familiar with OPT
Large hospital systems, behavioral health networks, and residential treatment facilities hire internationally trained candidates more regularly than smaller private practices. Their HR teams understand work authorization timelines and are less likely to withdraw offers over OPT paperwork.
Apply before your OPT start date
Many healthcare employers need time to complete background checks and credentialing before your first shift. Start applying two to three months before your OPT start date so onboarding doesn't collide with your authorization window unexpectedly.
Know your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
If your degree is in psychology, neuroscience, or a qualifying STEM field, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming this early lets you communicate a longer work authorization window to employers, which reduces their concern about short timelines.
Clarify your clinical scope of practice
Mental Health Technician roles vary significantly by state in terms of what tasks you can perform without additional licensure. Knowing your scope before interviews lets you answer employer questions confidently and avoids delays caused by credentialing issues post-hire.
Highlight behavioral health training and certifications
Certifications like CPR, crisis intervention, or de-escalation training signal job-readiness to employers reviewing OPT candidates. These credentials reduce perceived hiring risk and help your application compete against candidates with longer-term work authorization.
Be transparent about your OPT end date
Bring up your OPT timeline proactively rather than waiting for employers to ask. Framing it as a known factor you have planned for, including H-1B visa sponsorship possibilities, builds trust and prevents misunderstandings late in the hiring process.
Mental Health Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Mental Health Technician on OPT?
Yes. Mental Health Technician roles qualify as valid OPT employment as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. If your degree is in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related discipline, working as a Mental Health Technician satisfies the USCIS requirement that OPT employment be related to your field of study.
Do Mental Health Technician employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
It depends on the employer. Large hospital systems and behavioral health organizations with established HR departments are more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than small outpatient clinics or private practices. During your OPT period, it's worth identifying employers with a history of sponsoring international staff early, since H-1B petitions must be filed months before your OPT expires. Migrate Mate can help you filter for roles at sponsorship-friendly employers.
Does a Mental Health Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying degree is classified as a STEM field by DHS. Psychology and neuroscience degrees sometimes qualify depending on the CIP code your university assigned. Social work and counseling degrees typically do not qualify. Check with your DSO to confirm whether your specific program is on the STEM designated degree list before factoring an extension into your job search timeline.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B sponsorship?
If your OPT expires before H-1B sponsorship is secured, you lose authorization to work and must stop working immediately. The H-1B lottery opens once per year in March, with an October 1 start date. If you're hired late in your OPT window, cap-gap protection may apply if you have an approved H-1B petition and your F-1 status remains valid. Talk to your DSO about your specific timeline as soon as possible.
Are Mental Health Technician jobs part-time or full-time, and does that affect my OPT?
Both arrangements exist, but part-time work carries risk during OPT. USCIS requires that OPT employment be at least 20 hours per week to count as valid OPT employment. Working fewer than 20 hours or having gaps longer than 90 days in your employment can jeopardize your OPT status. Full-time positions at inpatient facilities, residential programs, or hospital units are typically safer for maintaining compliant OPT employment.