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 JobsMedical Social Worker
Job Summary:
Following established policies and procedures, provides in/outpatient mental health and/or substance abuse counseling and therapy. Using professional level of knowledge, assesses patient emotional, social and psychological needs and determines appropriate intervention methods. Maintains related records and works cooperatively with other caregivers, case managers and managed care representatives. As an essential job function, due to continuously changing patient census/activity and staffing needs, must have the flexibility to work a varying schedule should the need arise, which may require working overtime (greater than 40 worked hours per week) and/or shift durations that exceed the assigned status for shift length and/or hours per week.
Duties:
- Conducts diagnostic interviews and psychosocial assessments with patients and/or their families to obtain data on the patient’s personal, social, legal, medical, emotional, family and social economic history and presenting problem(s).
- Develops treatment plans. Reviews and revises treatment plan monthly or more often as needed. Consults with other treatment team members as necessary.
- Provides mental health and/or substance abuse counseling to individuals, families, couples and groups drawing from a variety of therapies and modalities as indicated by the patient’s individual needs and in keeping with acceptable standards of practice. Provides crisis intervention. Provides assessment, referral and brief counseling to employee assistance program clients as needed.
- Maintains clinical case records according to policies, procedures and acceptable standards of practice.
- Works with other department staff to develop new programs to meet patient needs. Notifies appropriate agencies of cases suspected of violations of the law such as abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult and assists in investigation of such cases as requested.
- Oversees discharges and follow up care. Makes follow-up contacts and referrals to appropriate sources as needed. Develops discharge plans, including any aftercare needed. Practices utilization management activities as needed. Contacts third party payers, obtains prior authorization, periodic review, reauthorizations, etc., as required for reimbursement of services provided. Completes forms and other necessary documentation in a timely manner.
- Develops and maintains network of referral sources in the community including mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial and legal sources. Represents the hospital in such networks. Assists patients in identifying and using appropriate resources. Participates in community education activities; makes presentations as requested at such times as are mutually agreed to by employee and supervisor.
- Participates in performance improvement activities. Compiles statistical reports as requested. Participates in staff meetings, clinical supervision and other meetings as assigned. Keeps current in development of treatment modalities, approaches and regulations affecting the practice of social work in an outpatient setting.
Qualifications
- A master’s degree in Social Work.
- Current licensure by the Board of Social Work Examiners to practice as an MSW in the state of Michigan.
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification, to be completed within six (6) months of hire date.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two years experience in a mental health or substance abuse setting.
Additional Experience:
- Knowledge of social work methods, procedures, treatment interventions and relevant legal regulations.
- Interpersonal skills to counsel patients (pediatric 3-11 years, adolescent 12 – 17 years, adult 18 – 64 years, geriatric 64 years and above) with psychological, emotional, and social disorders and their families and to deal effectively with outside organizations.
- Analytical ability to analyze patient’s social needs, determine possible solutions, and implement solutions.
Physical Requirements:
- Physical ability to freely move about; move about for extended periods; occasionally obtaining binders, files, etc. from shelves or desks.
OSHA Exposure Classification:
As required by infection prevention and control policies.
Medical Social Worker
Job Summary:
Following established policies and procedures, provides in/outpatient mental health and/or substance abuse counseling and therapy. Using professional level of knowledge, assesses patient emotional, social and psychological needs and determines appropriate intervention methods. Maintains related records and works cooperatively with other caregivers, case managers and managed care representatives. As an essential job function, due to continuously changing patient census/activity and staffing needs, must have the flexibility to work a varying schedule should the need arise, which may require working overtime (greater than 40 worked hours per week) and/or shift durations that exceed the assigned status for shift length and/or hours per week.
Duties:
- Conducts diagnostic interviews and psychosocial assessments with patients and/or their families to obtain data on the patient’s personal, social, legal, medical, emotional, family and social economic history and presenting problem(s).
- Develops treatment plans. Reviews and revises treatment plan monthly or more often as needed. Consults with other treatment team members as necessary.
- Provides mental health and/or substance abuse counseling to individuals, families, couples and groups drawing from a variety of therapies and modalities as indicated by the patient’s individual needs and in keeping with acceptable standards of practice. Provides crisis intervention. Provides assessment, referral and brief counseling to employee assistance program clients as needed.
- Maintains clinical case records according to policies, procedures and acceptable standards of practice.
- Works with other department staff to develop new programs to meet patient needs. Notifies appropriate agencies of cases suspected of violations of the law such as abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult and assists in investigation of such cases as requested.
- Oversees discharges and follow up care. Makes follow-up contacts and referrals to appropriate sources as needed. Develops discharge plans, including any aftercare needed. Practices utilization management activities as needed. Contacts third party payers, obtains prior authorization, periodic review, reauthorizations, etc., as required for reimbursement of services provided. Completes forms and other necessary documentation in a timely manner.
- Develops and maintains network of referral sources in the community including mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial and legal sources. Represents the hospital in such networks. Assists patients in identifying and using appropriate resources. Participates in community education activities; makes presentations as requested at such times as are mutually agreed to by employee and supervisor.
- Participates in performance improvement activities. Compiles statistical reports as requested. Participates in staff meetings, clinical supervision and other meetings as assigned. Keeps current in development of treatment modalities, approaches and regulations affecting the practice of social work in an outpatient setting.
Qualifications
- A master’s degree in Social Work.
- Current licensure by the Board of Social Work Examiners to practice as an MSW in the state of Michigan.
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification, to be completed within six (6) months of hire date.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two years experience in a mental health or substance abuse setting.
Additional Experience:
- Knowledge of social work methods, procedures, treatment interventions and relevant legal regulations.
- Interpersonal skills to counsel patients (pediatric 3-11 years, adolescent 12 – 17 years, adult 18 – 64 years, geriatric 64 years and above) with psychological, emotional, and social disorders and their families and to deal effectively with outside organizations.
- Analytical ability to analyze patient’s social needs, determine possible solutions, and implement solutions.
Physical Requirements:
- Physical ability to freely move about; move about for extended periods; occasionally obtaining binders, files, etc. from shelves or desks.
OSHA Exposure Classification:
As required by infection prevention and control policies.
See all 88+ 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.