Hospital Social Worker Jobs for OPT Students
Hospital Social Worker jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in social work, psychology, or a related field. Most roles require a BSW or MSW and state licensure eligibility. STEM OPT does not apply here, so your 12-month standard OPT window is the primary authorization period to work with.
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At MultiCare, we strive to offer a true sense of belonging for all our employees. Across our health care network, you will find a dynamic range of meaningful careers, opportunities for growth, safe workplaces, and flexible schedules. We are connected by our mission - partnering and healing for a healthy future - and dedicated to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: Day
Looking for a full-time position that allows you to utilize your behavioral health assessment skills and knowledge of community resources? We are growing our team because of the need for more social workers in our hospitals to bridge the gap between acute care and the community. As a hospital social worker at Tacoma General or Allenmore Hospitals, the priority work includes comprehensive mental health evaluations, SBIRTs, collaborating with DCRs and psychiatric facilities and supporting your assigned patients throughout the acute hospital stay from admission to discharge. Depending on the patient’s discharge needs, you may need to facilitate placement in post-acute facilities, or arrange for more support at home, or provide resources for unhoused patients. We are looking for social workers who have a passion for adult behavioral health care and have the skills to problem solve complicated discharge situations. You could expect to join a team that includes LICSW and LSWAIC social workers, RN case managers, Care Coordination Assistants who work together in unit-based teams to address the needs of our patients. For LSWAIC social workers, we offer weekly clinical supervision to support achievement of LICSW. We have a 3-step career ladder that social workers can advance at their own pace. New full-time hires may be offered a $10,000 sign on bonus with a 2 year commitment.
Position Summary
The Hospital Social Worker Trainee is an excellent entry-level opportunity at MultiCare, responsible for exemplary cross continuum care coordination, psychosocial assessments, and psychosocial interventions. In this role you will identify opportunities to continually improve patient care, services and population health.
Responsibilities
- You will perform cross continuum care activities, which may include clinic, provider practice, urgent care, phone care agency, skilled care, or other sites of care, as appropriate
- You will provide customer service to the patient, family, physician/APP, and care team members to include discharge milestones and progression to next level of care
- You will model and orchestrate consistent, professional communications and maintain consistent and proactive communication patterns with colleagues and staff
- You will delegate responsibilities appropriately but remains accountable for outcomes
- You will ensure that the patient and family experiences medically appropriate transitions of care
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work with Healthcare-based practicum
- Licensed in the state of Washington as Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) with a commitment to obtain their LICSW within four (4) years
- Hospital or equivalent experience preferred; experience prior to obtaining a Master’s degree may be considered
- Health industry knowledge preferred
- Healthcare financial assistance knowledge preferred
About Tacoma General Hospital
MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, in the heart of Tacoma, WA, is a 367-bed regional medical center delivering cutting-edge care. With a 24-hour Emergency Department, Level II Adult Trauma Center, advanced cardiac, neurological, orthopedic and robotic surgery, Tacoma General combines innovation with compassionate care. Home to the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, a Family Birth Center and specialized neonatal care in partnership with Mary Bridge Children’s, our collaborative, mission-driven teams offer a rewarding environment for career growth and professional excellence.
About the Tacoma Community
Tacoma, just 30 miles south of Seattle, blends big-city amenities with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From scenic waterfronts and mountain trails to vibrant arts, dining and brewery scenes, Tacoma offers something for everyone — outdoor enthusiasts, families and young professionals alike. With strong schools and universities, it’s a city where you can live, work and play.
Why MultiCare?
- Rooted in the local community – Partnering with patients, families and neighbors across the Pacific Northwest for more than 140 years
- Growth and education – Competitive tuition assistance, award-winning residencies, fellowships and career development to invest in your future
- Well-being and support – Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared for at work and in life
- Living our values – Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other
- Belonging for all – Employee Resource Groups, inclusion initiatives and outreach programs support a workplace where every voice is valued
- Pacific Northwest lifestyle – Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life
Pay and Benefit Expectations
We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $76,710.00 - $110,365.00 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align.
Associated benefit information can be viewed here.
You Belong Here.
At MultiCare, we strive to offer a true sense of belonging for all our employees. Across our health care network, you will find a dynamic range of meaningful careers, opportunities for growth, safe workplaces, and flexible schedules. We are connected by our mission - partnering and healing for a healthy future - and dedicated to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: Day
Looking for a full-time position that allows you to utilize your behavioral health assessment skills and knowledge of community resources? We are growing our team because of the need for more social workers in our hospitals to bridge the gap between acute care and the community. As a hospital social worker at Tacoma General or Allenmore Hospitals, the priority work includes comprehensive mental health evaluations, SBIRTs, collaborating with DCRs and psychiatric facilities and supporting your assigned patients throughout the acute hospital stay from admission to discharge. Depending on the patient’s discharge needs, you may need to facilitate placement in post-acute facilities, or arrange for more support at home, or provide resources for unhoused patients. We are looking for social workers who have a passion for adult behavioral health care and have the skills to problem solve complicated discharge situations. You could expect to join a team that includes LICSW and LSWAIC social workers, RN case managers, Care Coordination Assistants who work together in unit-based teams to address the needs of our patients. For LSWAIC social workers, we offer weekly clinical supervision to support achievement of LICSW. We have a 3-step career ladder that social workers can advance at their own pace. New full-time hires may be offered a $10,000 sign on bonus with a 2 year commitment.
Position Summary
The Hospital Social Worker Trainee is an excellent entry-level opportunity at MultiCare, responsible for exemplary cross continuum care coordination, psychosocial assessments, and psychosocial interventions. In this role you will identify opportunities to continually improve patient care, services and population health.
Responsibilities
- You will perform cross continuum care activities, which may include clinic, provider practice, urgent care, phone care agency, skilled care, or other sites of care, as appropriate
- You will provide customer service to the patient, family, physician/APP, and care team members to include discharge milestones and progression to next level of care
- You will model and orchestrate consistent, professional communications and maintain consistent and proactive communication patterns with colleagues and staff
- You will delegate responsibilities appropriately but remains accountable for outcomes
- You will ensure that the patient and family experiences medically appropriate transitions of care
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work with Healthcare-based practicum
- Licensed in the state of Washington as Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) with a commitment to obtain their LICSW within four (4) years
- Hospital or equivalent experience preferred; experience prior to obtaining a Master’s degree may be considered
- Health industry knowledge preferred
- Healthcare financial assistance knowledge preferred
About Tacoma General Hospital
MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, in the heart of Tacoma, WA, is a 367-bed regional medical center delivering cutting-edge care. With a 24-hour Emergency Department, Level II Adult Trauma Center, advanced cardiac, neurological, orthopedic and robotic surgery, Tacoma General combines innovation with compassionate care. Home to the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, a Family Birth Center and specialized neonatal care in partnership with Mary Bridge Children’s, our collaborative, mission-driven teams offer a rewarding environment for career growth and professional excellence.
About the Tacoma Community
Tacoma, just 30 miles south of Seattle, blends big-city amenities with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From scenic waterfronts and mountain trails to vibrant arts, dining and brewery scenes, Tacoma offers something for everyone — outdoor enthusiasts, families and young professionals alike. With strong schools and universities, it’s a city where you can live, work and play.
Why MultiCare?
- Rooted in the local community – Partnering with patients, families and neighbors across the Pacific Northwest for more than 140 years
- Growth and education – Competitive tuition assistance, award-winning residencies, fellowships and career development to invest in your future
- Well-being and support – Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared for at work and in life
- Living our values – Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other
- Belonging for all – Employee Resource Groups, inclusion initiatives and outreach programs support a workplace where every voice is valued
- Pacific Northwest lifestyle – Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life
Pay and Benefit Expectations
We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $76,710.00 - $110,365.00 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align.
Associated benefit information can be viewed here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Hospital Social Worker
Lead with your MSW and licensure status
Hiring managers in hospital settings prioritize licensure eligibility above almost everything else. State clearly in your application whether you're eligible to sit for the LMSW or LCSW exam, and note your current license status if you've already passed.
Target hospitals with established HR infrastructure
Large hospital systems and academic medical centers employ dedicated HR and compliance teams familiar with OPT work authorization. They're significantly more likely to have processed EAD-based hires before than smaller community clinics or private practices.
Address your OPT timeline early in the process
Hospital social work roles often involve 60-to-90-day onboarding timelines. Proactively tell recruiters your OPT start date and expiration date so they can assess fit before extending an offer, avoiding surprises late in the process.
Frame field placements as direct clinical experience
MSW field placements in hospital or healthcare settings are directly equivalent to paid clinical experience. Describe your placement hours, patient population, and interdisciplinary team involvement using the same language you'd use for a professional role.
Get your EAD card situation squared away before applying
Apply for your EAD as early as USCIS allows, ideally 90 days before your program end date. Hospital HR departments need to verify work authorization before your start date, and delays in EAD receipt can cost you an offer.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Hospital Social Worker on F-1 OPT?
Yes, provided your degree is in social work, psychology, counseling, or a closely related field and the role aligns with your area of study. Hospital social work roles typically require a BSW or MSW, which maps cleanly to OPT eligibility requirements. You'll work using your Employment Authorization Document as proof of authorization.
Does Hospital Social Work qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Social work is not a STEM-designated field under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT list, so the 24-month STEM extension is not available. You'll have the standard 12-month OPT period. If you want to remain in the U.S. after that, your employer would need to sponsor an H-1B or another nonimmigrant visa.
Do hospitals typically sponsor OPT students for H-1B visas after OPT ends?
Large hospital systems and academic medical centers are among the more consistent H-1B sponsors in the social work field, particularly for MSW-level roles. Social work qualifies as a specialty occupation when an MSW is a genuine requirement of the position. Search Migrate Mate to find hospital employers with a track record of visa sponsorship for social workers.
Is state licensure required to work as a Hospital Social Worker on OPT?
It depends on the state and the specific role. Many hospital positions require you to be licensed or license-eligible at the time of hire. Some entry-level or unlicensed associate roles exist, but clinical positions with direct patient contact almost always require at minimum an LMSW. Check your state's licensing board requirements before applying, as they vary significantly.
How much of my OPT period is typically consumed by a hospital hiring process?
Hospital hiring processes are slower than most industries. From application to start date, expect 60 to 90 days on average, and sometimes longer for roles requiring credentialing or background checks. If your OPT window is 12 months, beginning your search at least four to five months before your ideal start date gives you a realistic runway.
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