OPT Mental Health Therapy Jobs
Mental health therapy roles qualify for F-1 OPT when your degree is in counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related field. Most positions require state licensure or supervised hours toward it, which counts as authorized OPT employment. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
You belong at Union!
The UHTH Respiratory Therapy Therapist plays a key role in providing the highest quality of patient care while the patient is in at Union Health.
Our team provides comprehensive care and treatments for patients with respiratory conditions, helping to optimize lung function and enhance overall respiratory health.
Join us as we provide compassionate service and high-quality care to the Wabash Valley Communities. We are committed to helping you find a role that recognizes your interests, expertise, and talent and helping you achieve your long-term career goals and aspirations. At Union, you’ll experience an inclusive environment in which you are empowered to be your best self every day.
In addition to competitive pay, Union co-workers enjoy:
- Part-time and Full-time schedules
- Comprehensive Benefits
- Paid Time Off starting day one.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 each year.
- Career Paths
- Success Sharing
- 403b Retirement Employer Match.
- Much More!
Be part of an organization that is dedicated to your work-life balance, career, growth, and development. Union Health, U Matter and U Belong.
How can we help? Call us at 812-238-7827 or email us at recruiting@union.health
UHTH RESPIRATORY THERAPY THERAPIST DETAILS
Essential Job Duties:
- Patient Care: Provide all phases of respiratory care and services to patients, including assessment, airway management, ventilation, and education.
- Clinical Practice: Use clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Professionalism: Act as a patient advocate, respect patient rights, and seek appropriate assistance to address ethical dilemmas.
- Collaboration: Work effectively as part of a team and communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
License/Certification:
- Graduate of AMA Respiratory Technician program AND successful completion of Registry examination.
- Current BLS certification.
- Must have current Indiana Respiratory Practitioner's certification.
- Flexible in schedule to meet the needs of the patient on a 24-hour basis.
- Ability to perform External Cardiac Massage.
- Willing to obtain ACLS, PALS, and NRP certification.
- Must be willing to cross-train to work in Cardiovascular Testing and Union Hospital, Clinton Respiratory Therapy.
- License and status must be maintained according to state, AARC, and NBRC guidelines; failure to do so may result in change of status or termination if employee cannot fulfill the duties of their job description.
Please note that the salary information provided on the career site for this position opening may not necessarily reflect the accurate compensation associated with the role.
We encourage candidates to inquire further and engage in direct communication with Union Health for comprehensive salary details.
As an EOE/AA employer, Union Hospital, Inc. will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran or disability status.
LOCATION
Location: Union Hospital · RESPIRATORY THERAPY(67005)
SCHEDULE
Schedule: 3G - PRN (ON-CALL), NIGHT, 6pm-6am
INTRODUCTION
You belong at Union!
The UHTH Respiratory Therapy Therapist plays a key role in providing the highest quality of patient care while the patient is in at Union Health.
Our team provides comprehensive care and treatments for patients with respiratory conditions, helping to optimize lung function and enhance overall respiratory health.
Join us as we provide compassionate service and high-quality care to the Wabash Valley Communities. We are committed to helping you find a role that recognizes your interests, expertise, and talent and helping you achieve your long-term career goals and aspirations. At Union, you’ll experience an inclusive environment in which you are empowered to be your best self every day.
In addition to competitive pay, Union co-workers enjoy:
- Part-time and Full-time schedules
- Comprehensive Benefits
- Paid Time Off starting day one.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 each year.
- Career Paths
- Success Sharing
- 403b Retirement Employer Match.
- Much More!
Be part of an organization that is dedicated to your work-life balance, career, growth, and development. Union Health, U Matter and U Belong.
How can we help? Call us at 812-238-7827 or email us at recruiting@union.health
UHTH RESPIRATORY THERAPY THERAPIST DETAILS
Essential Job Duties:
- Patient Care: Provide all phases of respiratory care and services to patients, including assessment, airway management, ventilation, and education.
- Clinical Practice: Use clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Professionalism: Act as a patient advocate, respect patient rights, and seek appropriate assistance to address ethical dilemmas.
- Collaboration: Work effectively as part of a team and communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
License/Certification:
- Graduate of AMA Respiratory Technician program AND successful completion of Registry examination.
- Current BLS certification.
- Must have current Indiana Respiratory Practitioner's certification.
- Flexible in schedule to meet the needs of the patient on a 24-hour basis.
- Ability to perform External Cardiac Massage.
- Willing to obtain ACLS, PALS, and NRP certification.
- Must be willing to cross-train to work in Cardiovascular Testing and Union Hospital, Clinton Respiratory Therapy.
- License and status must be maintained according to state, AARC, and NBRC guidelines; failure to do so may result in change of status or termination if employee cannot fulfill the duties of their job description.
Please note that the salary information provided on the career site for this position opening may not necessarily reflect the accurate compensation associated with the role.
We encourage candidates to inquire further and engage in direct communication with Union Health for comprehensive salary details.
As an EOE/AA employer, Union Hospital, Inc. will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran or disability status.
LOCATION
Location: Union Hospital · RESPIRATORY THERAPY(67005)
SCHEDULE
Schedule: 3G - PRN (ON-CALL), NIGHT, 6pm-6am
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Mental Health Therapy
Target employers with existing supervision infrastructure
Community mental health centers, hospital systems, and university counseling centers regularly hire OPT students because they already have licensed supervisors on staff. These settings are built for supervised practice, which aligns naturally with your OPT authorization period.
Clarify your licensure status upfront
Most therapy roles require licensure or active progress toward it. Before applying, confirm whether you hold an associate license, are accruing supervised hours, or need employer-sponsored supervision. Employers want to know your licensure timeline, not just your work authorization status.
Frame your OPT timeline around supervision hours
Many states require 2,000 to 4,000 supervised hours for full licensure. If your OPT period covers part of that requirement, show employers how your authorization window maps to their supervision commitment and caseload onboarding.
Research state licensure requirements before relocating
Licensure rules vary significantly by state. Some states have reciprocity agreements; others require separate applications. Accepting a role in a new state without confirming licensure eligibility can delay your ability to practice and complicate your OPT employment authorization.
Highlight telehealth experience when relevant
Telehealth roles have expanded access for therapists across state lines, but licensing restrictions still apply. If you have telehealth training or practicum experience, include it. Many OPT-sponsoring employers in behavioral health are actively scaling remote therapy capacity.
Start the H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
Mental health therapy qualifies as a specialty occupation for H-1B visa purposes when the role requires a specific graduate degree. Raise the H-1B question with employers at the offer stage, not six months into the job, so they have time to prepare the petition.
Mental Health Therapy OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does mental health therapy qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?
Yes, mental health therapy qualifies for OPT when your degree is directly related to the role. A master's in counseling, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology supports OPT authorization for licensed or pre-licensed therapy positions. Your work must fall within the scope of your field of study as defined on your OPT authorization.
Can I work as a therapist on OPT if I'm not yet fully licensed?
Yes, pre-licensed positions count as valid OPT employment as long as the role is within your field of study. Associate therapist, licensed professional counselor associate, and supervised clinician roles all qualify. You'll need a licensed supervisor, but the supervised hours you accumulate during OPT count toward your full licensure requirements in most states.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for mental health therapy roles?
No. Mental health therapy, counseling, and social work degrees are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so the 24-month STEM extension is not available. You'll have 12 months of OPT to work with. Planning for H-1B sponsorship before your OPT expires is the most common next step for therapists who want to stay in the U.S.
Where can I find mental health therapy jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored jobs, including mental health therapy roles. Employers listed there have indicated openness to sponsoring international candidates, which saves you from applying to positions that will reject you at the work authorization question. Filtering by field and authorization type helps you focus on realistic opportunities.
Does mental health therapy qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT ends?
Mental health therapy can qualify for H-1B sponsorship when the position requires a specific graduate-level degree in a related field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Clinical therapist and licensed counselor roles at hospitals, behavioral health companies, and university counseling centers have successfully secured H-1B approval. The specific job duties and degree requirement matter more than the job title alone.