OPT Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner jobs on OPT are available at hospitals, community mental health centers, and telehealth providers. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this role, so your 12-month OPT window is the primary timeline. Many employers in this field are familiar with NCLEX licensing requirements and clinical work authorization.
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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 174+ OPT Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Confirm your state license covers OPT work authorization
State nursing boards issue APRN licenses independently of federal immigration status. Verify your target state accepts OPT employment authorization as valid work authorization before applying. Some states require an unrestricted SSN or specific EAD documentation during licensure applications.
Target employers with existing OPT or H-1B hiring history
Health systems that have previously sponsored foreign nurses are far more likely to understand the process. Look for employers who list visa sponsorship in job postings or have dedicated international recruitment programs within their HR departments.
Apply early to account for licensing and credentialing timelines
Psychiatric NP roles require credentialing that can take 60 to 90 days after hire. Starting your job search four to six months before OPT begins gives you time to clear credentialing before your employment authorization window opens.
Highlight your psychiatric clinical hours prominently
Employers scrutinize clinical training closely for NP roles. Quantify your psychiatric practicum hours, patient volume, and any specialized populations you treated. Concrete clinical metrics signal readiness to practice independently and reduce employer uncertainty about international candidates.
Understand that STEM OPT extension is not available for this role
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is not classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, so you cannot extend OPT to 36 months. Plan your H-1B visa or other long-term sponsorship strategy before your 12-month OPT window ends to avoid a gap.
Engage hospital international recruitment teams directly
Large academic medical centers and VA hospital systems often have dedicated international hiring teams separate from general HR. Contacting these teams directly with your OPT timeline and NCLEX credentials can surface opportunities before they are publicly posted.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner on OPT?
Yes, if your OPT employment authorization is in a field directly related to your nursing or advanced practice nursing degree. Your job duties must align with your field of study. Employers will require your EAD card before you begin, and most will also require a valid state APRN license and DEA registration before your start date.
Is the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner role eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Nursing programs, including advanced practice specializations like psychiatric nursing, are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes. You are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your H-1B sponsorship strategy or exploring cap-exempt employer options well before your OPT expires is essential to maintaining continuous work authorization.
What type of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT students in this role?
Academic medical centers, large hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and VA facilities are the most likely to have experience sponsoring international clinicians. These organizations typically have established HR and legal infrastructure for visa sponsorship. You can browse Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner roles at OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate.
How does state APRN licensure work when I am on OPT?
Each state nursing board sets its own requirements, and most accept an EAD as proof of work authorization for licensure purposes. You will need an active SSN, which you can obtain after your OPT is approved. Some compact license states allow you to practice across state lines, which expands your job search flexibility significantly.
Can a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner role qualify for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Yes. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is recognized as a specialty occupation under H-1B criteria because the role typically requires a master's degree or higher in a specific clinical field. Employers who have already hired you on OPT are generally the most willing to sponsor, since they have direct evidence of your clinical competency and fit.