OPT Hospital Social Worker Jobs
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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Get Access To All JobsJoin a team that shares your calling
At MultiCare, you’re more than just a job title — you’re part of a team built on trust that cares for each other, our patients and our communities. Belonging here means living our mission and values every day. If your purpose and passions align with ours, you’ll find a place to grow, do meaningful work and build a career you love in a community that feels like home.
FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: 4x10's, rotating weekends
This position includes a $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for eligible Social Workers!
Position Summary
The Social Worker MSW is an excellent opportunity at MultiCare, responsible for aiding participants and their families with personal and environmental difficulties that predispose illness or interfere with remaining in their home environment. In this role you will be able to apply your strong analysis, interpretation and interpersonal skills to support patients through complex issues.
Responsibilities
- You will administer assessment tools and gather data for assessment, and to assess for optional needed services
- You will interview families to determine social work needs of the participant
- You will contact community resources to coordinate services
- You will provide initial and on-going assessment of participant's social, emotional and cognitive status and needs, involving participant and other staff members in the assessment
- You will ensure accurate documentation is maintained for all assessments, treatment plans, and evaluations
Requirements
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- LSWAIC, LMHC, LMFT, LASW, LICSW as required by department
- Experience working in a hospital/acute situation or equivalent social service agency, experience relative to the medical social work function
About Good Samaritan Hospital
MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is a 388-bed acute-care hub serving Puyallup and East Pierce County. As the area’s only hospital, it features a Family Birth Center, Level III Trauma and Neonatal ICUs, Level I Trauma Rehabilitation Center, Children’s Therapy Unit and a 24-hour Emergency Department. Innovative facilities like the LEED Gold-certified Dally Tower and Pulse Heart Institute make Good Samaritan a dynamic workplace for clinicians eager to advance their careers in a state-of-the-art environment.
About the Puyallup Community
Nestled at the foot of Mount Rainier along the Puyallup River, Puyallup offers a welcoming small-town feel just 10 miles from Tacoma and 35 miles from Seattle. Residents enjoy unique dining, an antique-filled downtown, excellent schools and abundant parks and recreation — all while being close to big-city opportunities.
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 you.
Well-being and support
Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared in your work and life.
Living our values
Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other.
Belonging for all
Resource Groups and outreach programs help ensure every team member feels safe, seen, heard and 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 $43.47 - $66.15 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.
Join a team that shares your calling
At MultiCare, you’re more than just a job title — you’re part of a team built on trust that cares for each other, our patients and our communities. Belonging here means living our mission and values every day. If your purpose and passions align with ours, you’ll find a place to grow, do meaningful work and build a career you love in a community that feels like home.
FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: 4x10's, rotating weekends
This position includes a $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for eligible Social Workers!
Position Summary
The Social Worker MSW is an excellent opportunity at MultiCare, responsible for aiding participants and their families with personal and environmental difficulties that predispose illness or interfere with remaining in their home environment. In this role you will be able to apply your strong analysis, interpretation and interpersonal skills to support patients through complex issues.
Responsibilities
- You will administer assessment tools and gather data for assessment, and to assess for optional needed services
- You will interview families to determine social work needs of the participant
- You will contact community resources to coordinate services
- You will provide initial and on-going assessment of participant's social, emotional and cognitive status and needs, involving participant and other staff members in the assessment
- You will ensure accurate documentation is maintained for all assessments, treatment plans, and evaluations
Requirements
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- LSWAIC, LMHC, LMFT, LASW, LICSW as required by department
- Experience working in a hospital/acute situation or equivalent social service agency, experience relative to the medical social work function
About Good Samaritan Hospital
MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is a 388-bed acute-care hub serving Puyallup and East Pierce County. As the area’s only hospital, it features a Family Birth Center, Level III Trauma and Neonatal ICUs, Level I Trauma Rehabilitation Center, Children’s Therapy Unit and a 24-hour Emergency Department. Innovative facilities like the LEED Gold-certified Dally Tower and Pulse Heart Institute make Good Samaritan a dynamic workplace for clinicians eager to advance their careers in a state-of-the-art environment.
About the Puyallup Community
Nestled at the foot of Mount Rainier along the Puyallup River, Puyallup offers a welcoming small-town feel just 10 miles from Tacoma and 35 miles from Seattle. Residents enjoy unique dining, an antique-filled downtown, excellent schools and abundant parks and recreation — all while being close to big-city opportunities.
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 you.
Well-being and support
Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared in your work and life.
Living our values
Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other.
Belonging for all
Resource Groups and outreach programs help ensure every team member feels safe, seen, heard and 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 $43.47 - $66.15 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.
See all OPT Hospital Social Worker Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Hospital Social Worker Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Understand which employers can support H-1B after OPT
Social work qualifies as a specialty occupation for H-1B visa purposes when the role requires an MSW. Prioritize employers who have sponsored H-1B visas for social workers before, as this signals willingness to continue your authorization beyond OPT.
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.
Hospital Social Worker OPT: Frequently 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.