OPT Psychologist Jobs
Psychologist jobs on OPT require employers to support your F-1 work authorization, which typically means filing an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires. Most roles in clinical, counseling, or research settings qualify as specialty occupations. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so your 12-month clock matters.
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Get Access To All JobsUniversity of Colorado Anschutz
School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine
Job Title: Clinical Psychologist – Whole Person Pain Service – Senior Instructor
Position # 00853211
Requisition # 41174
Job Summary:
This position provides behavioral health services to patients receiving care within the Whole Person Pain Service (WPPS). The role provides clinical interdisciplinary pain care and behavioral health services for patients with chronic pain, particularly those on chronic opioid therapy, supporting patient-centered, equitable care, education, and program growth in conjunction with the WPPS team. For clinical services within WPPS, the behavioral health clinician will see patients in individual virtual visits and group virtual visits co-facilitated with a medical provider, as well as participate in case conferences and regular team operational meetings.
This position has been established at 0.60 FTE. There is an opportunity to additionally apply for up to 0.4 cFTE of incremental in person integrated behavioral healthcare in one of our department’s brick and mortar primary care clinics for candidates looking for >0.6 total FTE.
Examples of Work Performed
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clinical support and consultation for WPPS behavioral health services, including direct patient care.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed behavioral health and pain psychology services for primary care patients with chronic pain seen within WPPS.
- Participate when needed in developing clinical guidelines, workflows, and delivery models for integrated chronic pain care.
- Involvement in program growth, sustainability planning, and workforce development for WPPS behavioral health services.
- Involvement in quality improvement, outcomes evaluation, access metrics, and financial sustainability efforts. This is a pilot program led by an engaged and capable team and financial sustainability will be re-evaluated at the end of the fiscal year.
- Collaborate with medical, administrative, and CU Medicine leadership to ensure high-quality, efficient, and optimized financial operations, which includes but is not limited to ensuring that WPPS clinician templates are regularly filled, that behavioral health provider billing and coding is appropriately optimized to ensure collections, and that patient experience measures are good.
- Support education and academic missions through teaching, supervision, and mentorship of learners and faculty as opportunities arise.
- Ensure BH clinician compliance with University, School of Medicine, CU Medicine, and regulatory policies and procedures.
- Participate in WPPS operational meetings.
- Collaborating to ensure any BH-specific performance standards are upheld by any additional behavioral health providers or learners providing clinical care within the WPPS.
- Participate in WPPS staff or clinician hiring selection, if needed.
Administrative/Professional Development
- Maintains eligibility for School of Medicine Faculty.
- Keeps well-informed of the latest developments in field, both academically and through applied skill.
- May participate in clinical research projects (but not required to be a clinician-researcher unless pursuing traditional promotion path).
- Accepts other responsibilities specifically assigned by the Medical Director and Director of Behavioral Health and Integrated Programs.
- Attends and presents at conferences, meetings and trainings in order to maintain certification and enhance professional skills; participates in faculty development activities.
Work Location:
Hybrid – candidates must live in Colorado upon hire.
Why Join Us:
The Department of Family Medicine (DFM) is dedicated to “helping people be healthier" by educating, nurturing, fostering, and enhancing those in the field of family medicine and the communities we live in and serve. The Department of Family Medicine has five (5) focus areas, each with specific goals:
- Patient Care: Provide outstanding Family Medicine to every patient.
- Research: Create and disseminate new knowledge.
- Training: Train integrated future Family Medicine workforce.
- Community Engagement: Achieve health equity with community engagement and advocacy.
- Our People: Nurture a thriving, diverse and equitable department culture.
Why work for the University?
We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Medical: Multiple plan options
- Dental: Multiple plan options
- Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
- Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
- Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
- Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
- Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
- Holiday Days: 11/year
- Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
- ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Sr. Instructor:
- Education: Doctoral degree in Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
- Experience: Completion of an accredited postdoctoral program with enough clinical hours to be licensed as a clinical psychologist.
- Special Skills: Ability to obtain Colorado state licensure as a psychologist. Ability to obtain and maintain credentialing through the University of Colorado Health system.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supervising clinicians and trainees.
- Expertise in pain psychology, chronic pain treatment, or behavioral medicine.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
- Outstanding customer service skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to advance inclusion and incorporate varied perspectives.
- Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
- Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
- Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
- Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
- A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
- Curriculum vitae / Resume
- Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: Lydia Lyon Lydia.lyon@cuanschutz.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
Screening begins immediately and continues until 10/15/2026.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:
$92,000 to $140,000
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
ADA Statement:
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.
Background Check Statement:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.
Vaccination Statement:
CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.
Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References
Job Category: Faculty
Primary Location: Aurora
Department: U0001 - Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 20148 - SOM-FM GENERAL OPERATIONS
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Sep 22, 2026
Unposting Date: Ongoing
Posting Contact Name: Lydia Lyon
Posting Contact Email: Lydia.lyon@cuanschutz.edu
Position Number: 00853211
University of Colorado Anschutz
School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine
Job Title: Clinical Psychologist – Whole Person Pain Service – Senior Instructor
Position # 00853211
Requisition # 41174
Job Summary:
This position provides behavioral health services to patients receiving care within the Whole Person Pain Service (WPPS). The role provides clinical interdisciplinary pain care and behavioral health services for patients with chronic pain, particularly those on chronic opioid therapy, supporting patient-centered, equitable care, education, and program growth in conjunction with the WPPS team. For clinical services within WPPS, the behavioral health clinician will see patients in individual virtual visits and group virtual visits co-facilitated with a medical provider, as well as participate in case conferences and regular team operational meetings.
This position has been established at 0.60 FTE. There is an opportunity to additionally apply for up to 0.4 cFTE of incremental in person integrated behavioral healthcare in one of our department’s brick and mortar primary care clinics for candidates looking for >0.6 total FTE.
Examples of Work Performed
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clinical support and consultation for WPPS behavioral health services, including direct patient care.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed behavioral health and pain psychology services for primary care patients with chronic pain seen within WPPS.
- Participate when needed in developing clinical guidelines, workflows, and delivery models for integrated chronic pain care.
- Involvement in program growth, sustainability planning, and workforce development for WPPS behavioral health services.
- Involvement in quality improvement, outcomes evaluation, access metrics, and financial sustainability efforts. This is a pilot program led by an engaged and capable team and financial sustainability will be re-evaluated at the end of the fiscal year.
- Collaborate with medical, administrative, and CU Medicine leadership to ensure high-quality, efficient, and optimized financial operations, which includes but is not limited to ensuring that WPPS clinician templates are regularly filled, that behavioral health provider billing and coding is appropriately optimized to ensure collections, and that patient experience measures are good.
- Support education and academic missions through teaching, supervision, and mentorship of learners and faculty as opportunities arise.
- Ensure BH clinician compliance with University, School of Medicine, CU Medicine, and regulatory policies and procedures.
- Participate in WPPS operational meetings.
- Collaborating to ensure any BH-specific performance standards are upheld by any additional behavioral health providers or learners providing clinical care within the WPPS.
- Participate in WPPS staff or clinician hiring selection, if needed.
Administrative/Professional Development
- Maintains eligibility for School of Medicine Faculty.
- Keeps well-informed of the latest developments in field, both academically and through applied skill.
- May participate in clinical research projects (but not required to be a clinician-researcher unless pursuing traditional promotion path).
- Accepts other responsibilities specifically assigned by the Medical Director and Director of Behavioral Health and Integrated Programs.
- Attends and presents at conferences, meetings and trainings in order to maintain certification and enhance professional skills; participates in faculty development activities.
Work Location:
Hybrid – candidates must live in Colorado upon hire.
Why Join Us:
The Department of Family Medicine (DFM) is dedicated to “helping people be healthier" by educating, nurturing, fostering, and enhancing those in the field of family medicine and the communities we live in and serve. The Department of Family Medicine has five (5) focus areas, each with specific goals:
- Patient Care: Provide outstanding Family Medicine to every patient.
- Research: Create and disseminate new knowledge.
- Training: Train integrated future Family Medicine workforce.
- Community Engagement: Achieve health equity with community engagement and advocacy.
- Our People: Nurture a thriving, diverse and equitable department culture.
Why work for the University?
We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Medical: Multiple plan options
- Dental: Multiple plan options
- Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
- Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
- Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
- Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
- Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
- Holiday Days: 11/year
- Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
- ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Sr. Instructor:
- Education: Doctoral degree in Psychology (PhD or PsyD)
- Experience: Completion of an accredited postdoctoral program with enough clinical hours to be licensed as a clinical psychologist.
- Special Skills: Ability to obtain Colorado state licensure as a psychologist. Ability to obtain and maintain credentialing through the University of Colorado Health system.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supervising clinicians and trainees.
- Expertise in pain psychology, chronic pain treatment, or behavioral medicine.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
- Outstanding customer service skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to advance inclusion and incorporate varied perspectives.
- Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
- Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
- Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
- Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
- A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
- Curriculum vitae / Resume
- Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: Lydia Lyon Lydia.lyon@cuanschutz.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
Screening begins immediately and continues until 10/15/2026.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:
$92,000 to $140,000
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
ADA Statement:
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.
Background Check Statement:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.
Vaccination Statement:
CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.
Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References
Job Category: Faculty
Primary Location: Aurora
Department: U0001 - Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 20148 - SOM-FM GENERAL OPERATIONS
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Sep 22, 2026
Unposting Date: Ongoing
Posting Contact Name: Lydia Lyon
Posting Contact Email: Lydia.lyon@cuanschutz.edu
Position Number: 00853211
See all 731+ OPT Psychologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Psychologist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Psychologist
Target licensed clinical and research settings
Hospitals, university counseling centers, and VA medical facilities routinely hire psychologists and have HR infrastructure to support OPT. These employers are more familiar with work authorization timelines than small private practices.
Apply before your final semester ends
Psychology roles often require credentialing, background checks, and onboarding that take 6 to 10 weeks. Starting your job search 6 months before OPT expires gives you time to clear those steps before your authorization begins.
Confirm licensure requirements by state early
Many psychologist roles require a state license before you can practice independently. Confirm whether the employer will hire you under supervision while you complete licensure, since some states require 1 to 2 years of post-degree supervised hours.
Ask directly about H-1B sponsorship in interviews
Psychology positions in healthcare and higher education frequently sponsor H-1B visas. Ask during the offer stage whether the employer has sponsored before and which immigration law firm they work with, so you understand the timeline.
Frame your specialty clearly on your resume
Employers need to establish that your role is a specialty occupation for OPT and future H-1B purposes. Clearly listing your doctoral specialization, assessment tools you use, and clinical populations served helps establish the degree requirement for your position.
Understand your OPT end date before accepting offers
A 12-month OPT period means the H-1B cap-subject filing window in April must fall within your authorized period. Calculate your exact end date before accepting any offer so you and your employer can plan the H-1B petition accordingly.
Psychologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do psychologist jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Psychologist positions qualify as specialty occupations under OPT because they require at minimum a master's degree, and most clinical roles require a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. Your employment must directly relate to your degree field, which is straightforward for most clinical, counseling, and research psychology roles.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for psychology graduates?
No. Psychology is not classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, so F-1 students in psychology programs are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have a standard 12-month OPT period. This makes early job searching and H-1B sponsorship planning especially important given the April filing deadline.
How do I find psychologist jobs where employers will sponsor an H-1B?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship-friendly employers, making it straightforward to identify psychologist roles at organizations with a history of H-1B filings. Hospitals, academic medical centers, and university counseling departments are among the most consistent sponsors in this field.
Can I work as a psychologist on OPT without a state license?
It depends on the role and state. Many employers will hire unlicensed doctoral graduates under clinical supervision while licensure is completed, particularly in hospital and university settings. However, independent practice requires full licensure. Confirm with each employer whether they hire candidates in a supervised pre-licensure capacity and whether OPT's 12-month duration covers that period.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my psychologist job ends?
F-1 OPT students can be unemployed for a cumulative maximum of 90 days during the standard 12-month OPT period. If your psychologist role ends, you need to report the change to your DSO and actively seek new employment. Exceeding 90 days of unemployment puts your F-1 status at risk, so maintaining job search momentum is critical.