OPT Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs
Licensed Clinical Social Worker jobs on OPT require active state licensure, which can take 3 to 24 months to obtain after your degree. Most LCSW roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, making them strong candidates for visa sponsorship. STEM OPT extension does not apply to social work programs.
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Get Access To All JobsOverview: The Social Worker will provide support and services to patients and their family members. This includes referrals to appropriate community resources (both local and national) that provide quality information, financial assistance and psychosocial support. The Social Worker encourages patients and families to become involved in activities that provide mutual support for each other. Social Workers also collaborate with the clinical staff on patient navigation and are responsible for assisting with transportation and helping the uninsured access funding services for care.
Responsibilities:
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Meet with all new patients to assess and intervene as necessary. Lead education and support groups.
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Confers with Supervisor on caseload responsibilities or emergent decision-making.
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Ensure clinical productivity requirements are maintained; Attend and actively participate in CHFM meetings, LCSW team meetings and case consultations; Maintain continuing education for licensure requirements.
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Liaising with or working as a financial advocate to provide information and support for medical and insurance coverage and securing drugs (e.g., accessing co-pay assistance, prior authorization).
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Completes appropriate clinical documentation in electronic medical record system. Able to utilize appropriate psychometrics (PHQ-9; ACE; GAD; SBIRT; EPDS; PDSS) as necessary.
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Collaborates with physicians, nursing, social work, psychiatry, customer service and administrative staff.
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Provide support, follow-up and/or education to primary care medical staff (Physicians, APRNs).
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Advocates for patient's unmet needs through building empowerment and agency.
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Connects patients to appropriate community resource agencies or facilities, utilizing UF Health when possible.
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Baker Act patients as needed.
Experience Requirements
2 years - Practical experience or completion of internship - required
Education
Masters Social Work required
Additional Details
Complete MSW program. 24 semester hours in theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in clinically oriented services.
Minimum of one course in psychopathology.
Complete Qualification Certificate / Licensure Description a supervised MSW field education, where clinical services were directly provided to clients. Complete at least two years of post-graduate work experience as defined by the Florida Department of Health (restrictions apply).
Pass national licensing examination.
Complete additional coursework from approved providers: Eight-hour laws and rules course.
Two-hour prevention of medical errors course.
Three-hour HIV/AIDS course. Two-hour domestic violence course.
Certificate/Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker required at time of hire
Social Work - State of Florida (DPR) required at time of hire
Travel: up to 50%
Additional Duties: Additional duties as assigned may vary
UFJPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drugfree Workplace
Overview: The Social Worker will provide support and services to patients and their family members. This includes referrals to appropriate community resources (both local and national) that provide quality information, financial assistance and psychosocial support. The Social Worker encourages patients and families to become involved in activities that provide mutual support for each other. Social Workers also collaborate with the clinical staff on patient navigation and are responsible for assisting with transportation and helping the uninsured access funding services for care.
Responsibilities:
-
Meet with all new patients to assess and intervene as necessary. Lead education and support groups.
-
Confers with Supervisor on caseload responsibilities or emergent decision-making.
-
Ensure clinical productivity requirements are maintained; Attend and actively participate in CHFM meetings, LCSW team meetings and case consultations; Maintain continuing education for licensure requirements.
-
Liaising with or working as a financial advocate to provide information and support for medical and insurance coverage and securing drugs (e.g., accessing co-pay assistance, prior authorization).
-
Completes appropriate clinical documentation in electronic medical record system. Able to utilize appropriate psychometrics (PHQ-9; ACE; GAD; SBIRT; EPDS; PDSS) as necessary.
-
Collaborates with physicians, nursing, social work, psychiatry, customer service and administrative staff.
-
Provide support, follow-up and/or education to primary care medical staff (Physicians, APRNs).
-
Advocates for patient's unmet needs through building empowerment and agency.
-
Connects patients to appropriate community resource agencies or facilities, utilizing UF Health when possible.
-
Baker Act patients as needed.
Experience Requirements
2 years - Practical experience or completion of internship - required
Education
Masters Social Work required
Additional Details
Complete MSW program. 24 semester hours in theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in clinically oriented services.
Minimum of one course in psychopathology.
Complete Qualification Certificate / Licensure Description a supervised MSW field education, where clinical services were directly provided to clients. Complete at least two years of post-graduate work experience as defined by the Florida Department of Health (restrictions apply).
Pass national licensing examination.
Complete additional coursework from approved providers: Eight-hour laws and rules course.
Two-hour prevention of medical errors course.
Three-hour HIV/AIDS course. Two-hour domestic violence course.
Certificate/Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker required at time of hire
Social Work - State of Florida (DPR) required at time of hire
Travel: up to 50%
Additional Duties: Additional duties as assigned may vary
UFJPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drugfree Workplace
See all 91+ OPT Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and large behavioral health networks file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Search OFLC disclosure data to confirm which employers have sponsored social workers before approaching them about OPT or future sponsorship.
Prioritize roles at cap-exempt employers
Nonprofit hospitals, universities, and government-affiliated health clinics are H-1B cap-exempt. These employers can sponsor you year-round, skipping the lottery entirely, which matters most when your OPT authorization window is running short.
Get your state license before your OPT end date
Many LCSW positions require full licensure before your first day. Start the licensing process immediately after graduation. Delays in background checks or supervised hours documentation can cost months you cannot afford on a tight OPT timeline.
Understand how supervised hours interact with OPT
Post-master's supervised clinical hours required for LCSW licensure count as qualifying OPT employment when tied to a social work role. Document your supervision arrangement carefully and confirm it meets your DSO's authorized employment requirements.
Frame your international background as a clinical asset
Cross-cultural competency is a documented gap in the U.S. behavioral health workforce. Employers serving immigrant, refugee, or multilingual communities will see your background as a direct clinical qualification, not a visa complication to manage around.
Ask about sponsorship intent early in the interview process
Raise sponsorship during the offer negotiation stage, not after accepting. Ask specifically whether the organization has sponsored H-1B or green card petitions for social workers before. Vague answers at that stage usually mean no structured process exists.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Licensed Clinical Social Worker jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. LCSW roles qualify as specialty occupations because they require a master's degree in social work from an accredited program. Your OPT authorization must be tied to employment directly related to your degree field. Clinical social work, therapy, and case management roles at the licensed level all meet that standard.
Can I work as an LCSW on OPT if I haven't received my state license yet?
It depends on the employer and state. Some employers will hire you under a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or associate license while you accumulate supervised hours toward full LCSW licensure. Others require the LCSW credential before your start date. Clarify licensure requirements with each employer before applying, and start your state licensing application the moment you graduate.
Does the STEM OPT 24-month extension apply to social work degrees?
No. Social work is not a STEM-designated field under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT list. MSW graduates receive the standard 12-month OPT authorization. This makes timing your H-1B sponsorship petition especially important since you don't have the extended runway that STEM graduates have.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor an LCSW for an H-1B or green card?
Nonprofit hospitals, federally qualified health centers, university counseling centers, and VA medical facilities sponsor social workers most consistently. These organizations are often H-1B cap-exempt, meaning they can file petitions any time of year. Migrate Mate's job board filters for sponsorship-friendly employers so you can focus your applications where sponsorship is actually available.
Can supervised clinical hours completed during OPT count toward LCSW licensure requirements?
Yes, in most states. Hours completed under an approved supervisor in a qualifying social work role count toward licensure regardless of your immigration status. Confirm with your state licensing board that your employment setting and supervisor credentials meet their specific requirements. Keep detailed records of every supervision session throughout your OPT period.