OPT Psychiatric Nurse Jobs
Psychiatric Nurse jobs on OPT require employers who can support your F-1 work authorization, and many hospitals and behavioral health systems have sponsored international nurses before. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this role, so your 12-month OPT window and timeline to H-1B visa sponsorship matter from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary: Working under the direction of an RN and in compliance with the treatment plan, provides therapeutic care and monitors patients’ conditions. Assists patients in their daily activities and ensures a safe, clean environment.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Observes patients’ behavior, listens to their concerns, and records their condition, observations and services performed.
- Leads patients in therapeutic and recreational activities.
- Assists with admitting, transporting and discharging patients.
- Monitors patients’ vital signs.
- Helps patients with activities of daily living, including eating and bathing.
- Restrains patients who may become physically violent.
- Delivers compassionate support, attention, and assistance to patients and families.
- Ensures compliance with all health care regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA.
- Maintains safe and clean working environment and protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control, hazardous waste and other policies and protocols.
- Performs other related duties as required and directed.
Qualifications
Required
- Associates degree in human services field or science, or;
- Student currently enrolled in an accredited Nursing Program who has completed mental health clinical rotation, or;
- High school diploma and completion of Behavioral Health training program through the US Armed Services or;
- High school diploma with three years providing direct patient care on an inpatient psychiatric unit or residential setting, or;
- High school diploma with three years of relevant experience in human services (social services, law enforcement, community mental health, hospital, or criminal justice) or working as security officer in a hospital setting.
Preferred
- Previous experience working with persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders.
- Bachelor’s degree in human services field or science.
Additional Information
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26012162
- Daily Work Times: 7:00AM - 7:30PM
- Hours Per Pay Period: 72
- On Call: No
- Weekends: Yes
About Us
The McLaren system includes 12 hospitals across the state, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 730-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 242,000 Michigan lives, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. McLaren has 20,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 93,000 network providers throughout Michigan.
Position Summary: Working under the direction of an RN and in compliance with the treatment plan, provides therapeutic care and monitors patients’ conditions. Assists patients in their daily activities and ensures a safe, clean environment.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Observes patients’ behavior, listens to their concerns, and records their condition, observations and services performed.
- Leads patients in therapeutic and recreational activities.
- Assists with admitting, transporting and discharging patients.
- Monitors patients’ vital signs.
- Helps patients with activities of daily living, including eating and bathing.
- Restrains patients who may become physically violent.
- Delivers compassionate support, attention, and assistance to patients and families.
- Ensures compliance with all health care regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA.
- Maintains safe and clean working environment and protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control, hazardous waste and other policies and protocols.
- Performs other related duties as required and directed.
Qualifications
Required
- Associates degree in human services field or science, or;
- Student currently enrolled in an accredited Nursing Program who has completed mental health clinical rotation, or;
- High school diploma and completion of Behavioral Health training program through the US Armed Services or;
- High school diploma with three years providing direct patient care on an inpatient psychiatric unit or residential setting, or;
- High school diploma with three years of relevant experience in human services (social services, law enforcement, community mental health, hospital, or criminal justice) or working as security officer in a hospital setting.
Preferred
- Previous experience working with persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders.
- Bachelor’s degree in human services field or science.
Additional Information
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26012162
- Daily Work Times: 7:00AM - 7:30PM
- Hours Per Pay Period: 72
- On Call: No
- Weekends: Yes
About Us
The McLaren system includes 12 hospitals across the state, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 730-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 242,000 Michigan lives, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. McLaren has 20,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 93,000 network providers throughout Michigan.
See all 173+ OPT Psychiatric Nurse Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Psychiatric Nurse
Target healthcare systems with international hiring history
Large hospital networks and behavioral health organizations are far more likely to have immigration counsel on staff. Focus your search on employers who have previously hired international nurses rather than smaller outpatient clinics with no sponsorship infrastructure.
Get your NCLEX and state license secured early
Most psychiatric nursing roles require an active RN license before an offer is extended. Passing the NCLEX and obtaining state licensure before your OPT start date removes a major hiring barrier and signals you are ready to work immediately.
Be direct about your OPT timeline in early conversations
Psychiatric nursing has high demand, but employers still need time to initiate H-1B visa sponsorship. Raise your OPT expiration date and H-1B cap lottery timing in early interviews so both sides can plan realistically without surprises later.
Prioritize roles at cap-exempt institutions
Nonprofit hospitals, university health systems, and federally qualified health centers are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes. These employers can file for H-1B outside the lottery, giving you a much clearer path to maintaining status after OPT ends.
Highlight any specialty certifications alongside your degree
Certifications such as PMH-BC or experience in specific psychiatric settings like inpatient, forensic, or crisis stabilization strengthen your application. Employers weighing sponsorship costs are more likely to proceed when a candidate has demonstrable specialty credentials.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly psychiatric nursing employers
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness, saving you from applying to employers who will not support F-1 OPT. Browse current psychiatric nurse openings there to focus your effort on realistic opportunities from the start.
Psychiatric Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a psychiatric nurse on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Psychiatric nursing qualifies for post-completion OPT because it is directly related to a nursing or healthcare degree. You must have your EAD card in hand before your first day of work. Your OPT period lasts 12 months, and because nursing is not a STEM-designated field, the 24-month STEM extension is not available for this role.
Does psychiatric nursing qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Nursing programs, including psychiatric nursing, are classified under CIP codes that do not appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. This means your OPT authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning for H-1B sponsorship or another long-term visa pathway before OPT expires is essential.
Will psychiatric nursing employers sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly large nonprofit hospital systems, academic medical centers, and federally qualified health centers. These employers often have established relationships with immigration attorneys and understand the H-1B process. Nonprofit and university-affiliated health systems also qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means they can file year-round without waiting for the annual lottery.
Where can I find psychiatric nurse jobs that support OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers. You can browse psychiatric nurse openings filtered by employers willing to support international candidates, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and learning late in the process that an employer does not sponsor. Start there to focus your search on realistic opportunities.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my psychiatric nursing job ends before my EAD expires?
You enter a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends. During that window, you can find a new qualifying position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. If you do not secure new authorized employment within 60 days, you fall out of valid F-1 status. Notify your DSO immediately when employment ends so they can update your SEVIS record accurately.