OPT Medical Social Worker Jobs
Medical Social Worker jobs on OPT require employers to support your STEM or standard OPT authorization, depending on your degree field. Most roles are in hospitals, clinics, or community health settings and need a Master of Social Work (MSW). Your OPT timeline, including any STEM extension eligibility, depends on how your degree was classified.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Explore opportunities with Amedisys, part of the Optum family of businesses. We provide home health, hospice and community-based services that help people receive quality care where they feel most comfortable: at home. Rooted in personalized care, we support patients and provide comfort through each stage of their health journey, while building trusted relationships along the way. Find a home for your career here. Join us and embrace a culture of Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Patient Coverage Territory: Worcester and surrounding areas but orientation will take place at the care center in Leominster, MA
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Medical Social Worker you will provide psychosocial support, assessment, and care coordination to patients and families receiving services in the home. This role addresses emotional, social, financial, and environmental factors that impact health and recovery while supporting safe and effective care transitions. As the Medical Social Worker you will collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary team to connect patients with community resources, provide counseling, and promote optimal outcomes in the home setting.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assists the patient and family with health related financial, social and emotional concerns and assists with effective coping skills
- Provides social work services in accordance with the plan of care
- Ensures that changes in the patient's clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members and the care center office staff in a timely manner
- Educates the patient and family members and other team members on medical social work interventions and treatment plan
- Performs care planning, transfer and discharge functions
- Identifies risks or threats to the patient's health in the patient's environment and promptly implements appropriate interventions to reduce risks. Communicates identification of risks/ threats to the patient to the physician and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate care effectively
- Other duties as assigned
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters and/or Doctorate degree from a school of social work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Active licensure in Medical Social Work (LMSW) or Clinical Social Work (LCSW)
- Driver's License and access to reliable transportation
- Current CPR certification
- 1+ years of social work experience in a health care setting
- Meets state and federal requirements for this position
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $73,040 to $109,560 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
INTRODUCTION
Explore opportunities with Amedisys, part of the Optum family of businesses. We provide home health, hospice and community-based services that help people receive quality care where they feel most comfortable: at home. Rooted in personalized care, we support patients and provide comfort through each stage of their health journey, while building trusted relationships along the way. Find a home for your career here. Join us and embrace a culture of Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Patient Coverage Territory: Worcester and surrounding areas but orientation will take place at the care center in Leominster, MA
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Medical Social Worker you will provide psychosocial support, assessment, and care coordination to patients and families receiving services in the home. This role addresses emotional, social, financial, and environmental factors that impact health and recovery while supporting safe and effective care transitions. As the Medical Social Worker you will collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary team to connect patients with community resources, provide counseling, and promote optimal outcomes in the home setting.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assists the patient and family with health related financial, social and emotional concerns and assists with effective coping skills
- Provides social work services in accordance with the plan of care
- Ensures that changes in the patient's clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members and the care center office staff in a timely manner
- Educates the patient and family members and other team members on medical social work interventions and treatment plan
- Performs care planning, transfer and discharge functions
- Identifies risks or threats to the patient's health in the patient's environment and promptly implements appropriate interventions to reduce risks. Communicates identification of risks/ threats to the patient to the physician and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate care effectively
- Other duties as assigned
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters and/or Doctorate degree from a school of social work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Active licensure in Medical Social Work (LMSW) or Clinical Social Work (LCSW)
- Driver's License and access to reliable transportation
- Current CPR certification
- 1+ years of social work experience in a health care setting
- Meets state and federal requirements for this position
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $73,040 to $109,560 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
See all 103+ OPT Medical Social Worker Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Medical Social Worker Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Medical Social Worker
Confirm your OPT end date before applying
Medical Social Worker hiring cycles can take two to three months. Know exactly when your OPT expires so you only pursue roles where you have enough authorized time remaining to complete onboarding and begin working legally.
Target hospital systems over private practices
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers have dedicated HR teams familiar with OPT documentation. Smaller private practices often lack experience with work authorization, making the sponsorship conversation harder to navigate early in the process.
Clarify your MSW degree field for STEM extension eligibility
Most MSW programs are not STEM-classified, limiting OPT to 12 months. If your program had a quantitative or data-focused track, verify your CIP code with your DSO before assuming STEM extension eligibility in your job search.
Lead with your clinical licensure progress, not your visa status
Employers hiring medical social workers prioritize LMSW or LCSW licensure. Establish your clinical qualifications first in interviews, then address OPT authorization separately. Framing yourself as a licensed candidate reduces friction around work authorization discussions.
Ask directly whether the employer has sponsored OPT workers before
Before investing time in lengthy interview rounds, ask HR whether they have previously employed staff on OPT. Employers with prior experience understand E-Verify requirements and reporting obligations, which significantly shortens onboarding timelines for international students.
Plan your H-1B transition timeline from day one
Medical social work roles in healthcare systems can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship. Identify employers willing to file before your OPT expires. The April H-1B lottery registration window is a hard deadline that requires early coordination with your employer.
Medical Social Worker OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Medical Social Worker on OPT?
Yes, if your OPT is authorized and your employment directly relates to your degree field. Most Medical Social Worker roles require an MSW, which aligns with social work or human services degree classifications. Your job offer must fall within your authorized field of study, and your DSO should confirm the match before you accept.
Do Medical Social Worker employers typically support OPT students?
Large hospital systems and federally funded community health organizations are more likely to hire OPT students because they have HR infrastructure for compliance. Smaller clinical settings may be unfamiliar with the reporting and E-Verify requirements tied to OPT employment. Migrate Mate lists Medical Social Worker roles from employers who have hired international students, which helps you identify receptive employers faster.
Is a Medical Social Worker role eligible for STEM OPT extension?
Most MSW programs are not classified under a STEM CIP code, so the standard 12-month OPT period applies in most cases. A small number of social work programs with strong quantitative or public health informatics tracks may carry a STEM classification. Confirm your exact CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming you qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.
What OPT reporting requirements apply when I start a Medical Social Worker job?
You must report your employer's name, address, and your start date to your DSO within 10 days of beginning work. Any change in employer or work location also requires timely reporting. Failing to update your SEVP portal record can jeopardize your status, so coordinate with your international student office as soon as you receive a formal offer.
What happens to my OPT status if my Medical Social Worker contract ends early?
If your position ends before your OPT authorization expires, you enter a 60-day grace period. You can use that window to secure a new role in your authorized field, transfer to a new visa status, or prepare to depart. Any new employer must also fall within your degree-related field, and the new employment must be reported to your DSO promptly.