OPT Psychiatric Social Worker Jobs
Psychiatric Social Worker jobs on OPT require active LCSW licensure or supervised hours toward it, making early license planning critical. Most roles fall under STEM-adjacent healthcare categories, and many hospitals and community mental health centers have sponsored H-1B visas for clinical social workers, giving OPT students a realistic path to long-term status.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join a team that's shaping the future of pediatric care. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is consistently ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, delivering world-class care through more than 350 specialized programs and services. Here, world-class experts in medicine, research, and education work together to deliver family-centered care to more than 155,000 patients each year. At CHLA, your work will help build brighter tomorrows for the children and families we serve.
SCHEDULE: Wednesday through Friday, with alternating weekends from 1:30pm to 12:00am (midnight)
This position works with the inpatient CL Psychiatry team.
PURPOSE STATEMENT/POSITION SUMMARY: The Psychiatric Social Worker II Nocturnist provides psychotherapeutic services for a caseload of patients with acutely complex needs independently or with supervision as needed or required by position. Responsible for assessment, treatment planning and provision of psychotherapeutic services to a defined caseload of patients and may also support the facilitation of groups. Employs evidence-based therapeutic treatment interventions and psychoeducation to patients and families. Provides case management services as needed. Services are clinic-based at CHLA or a Community practice, depending on the needs of the program and/or individual clients. This position works with other team members to support access to overall services. This position is also responsible for supporting partnerships designed to enhance the availability of treatment services at CHLA and at external partners. Requires licensure. Psychiatric Social Worker II Nocturnist patient and family coverage requires all regular nights and will require weekends, holidays, and on-call obligations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ year clinical experience with children, adolescents, young adults, and/or their families/caregivers.
- Experience in health care setting preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Psychology, Counseling with previous experience in a child, adolescent, or family mental health setting.
- Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- American Heart Association BLS certification required.
PAY SCALE INFORMATION: CHLA values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates who meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates who exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. Posting Range: USD $95,326.00 - USD $127,088.00
At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. We will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of state and local laws, including the LA City Fair Chance Ordinance and SF Fair Chance Ordinance.
Qualified Applicants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodation under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact CHLA Human Resources if you need assistance completing the application process.
Our various experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at CHLA.
INTRODUCTION
Join a team that's shaping the future of pediatric care. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is consistently ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, delivering world-class care through more than 350 specialized programs and services. Here, world-class experts in medicine, research, and education work together to deliver family-centered care to more than 155,000 patients each year. At CHLA, your work will help build brighter tomorrows for the children and families we serve.
SCHEDULE: Wednesday through Friday, with alternating weekends from 1:30pm to 12:00am (midnight)
This position works with the inpatient CL Psychiatry team.
PURPOSE STATEMENT/POSITION SUMMARY: The Psychiatric Social Worker II Nocturnist provides psychotherapeutic services for a caseload of patients with acutely complex needs independently or with supervision as needed or required by position. Responsible for assessment, treatment planning and provision of psychotherapeutic services to a defined caseload of patients and may also support the facilitation of groups. Employs evidence-based therapeutic treatment interventions and psychoeducation to patients and families. Provides case management services as needed. Services are clinic-based at CHLA or a Community practice, depending on the needs of the program and/or individual clients. This position works with other team members to support access to overall services. This position is also responsible for supporting partnerships designed to enhance the availability of treatment services at CHLA and at external partners. Requires licensure. Psychiatric Social Worker II Nocturnist patient and family coverage requires all regular nights and will require weekends, holidays, and on-call obligations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ year clinical experience with children, adolescents, young adults, and/or their families/caregivers.
- Experience in health care setting preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Psychology, Counseling with previous experience in a child, adolescent, or family mental health setting.
- Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- American Heart Association BLS certification required.
PAY SCALE INFORMATION: CHLA values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates who meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates who exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. Posting Range: USD $95,326.00 - USD $127,088.00
At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. We will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of state and local laws, including the LA City Fair Chance Ordinance and SF Fair Chance Ordinance.
Qualified Applicants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodation under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact CHLA Human Resources if you need assistance completing the application process.
Our various experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at CHLA.
See all 32+ OPT Psychiatric Social Worker Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Psychiatric Social Worker
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and VA facilities have the strongest track record of sponsoring clinical social workers. Search OPT-friendly Psychiatric Social Worker roles on Migrate Mate to filter for employers already familiar with the sponsorship process.
Get your supervised hours documented from day one
Most states require 2,000 to 3,000 post-master's supervised hours for LCSW licensure. Start tracking hours immediately on OPT. Delays in documentation can stall both licensure and H-1B petitions that depend on your licensed status.
Prioritize nonprofit and government mental health employers
Nonprofit community mental health centers and government agencies are often more willing to sponsor visas than private practices. They also qualify for H-1B cap exemptions, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the annual lottery window.
Confirm state licensure requirements before accepting a role
Psychiatric Social Worker licensing requirements vary significantly by state. Some states allow supervised practice under an LMSW before full licensure. Verify your target state's rules early so your OPT employment authorization aligns with what the role legally requires.
Raise sponsorship directly during the offer stage
Many mental health employers are unfamiliar with OPT timelines but open to sponsoring once informed. Bring up H-1B sponsorship during offer negotiations, not after. Framing it as a retention tool rather than a burden increases the likelihood of a positive response.
Use your OPT period to build specialized clinical credentials
Certifications in trauma-informed care, dialectical behavior therapy, or crisis intervention make you a stronger H-1B sponsorship candidate. Employers are more motivated to navigate immigration paperwork for candidates with specialized skills that are difficult to replace quickly.
Psychiatric Social Worker OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Psychiatric Social Worker on OPT without full LCSW licensure?
Yes, in most states. Many entry-level Psychiatric Social Worker roles accept candidates with an MSW degree working toward licensure under supervision. Your OPT employment authorization covers supervised clinical positions, but the job title and supervision structure must comply with your state's social work licensing board requirements. Confirm this before accepting any offer.
Do Psychiatric Social Worker jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Social work degrees are generally not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so most Psychiatric Social Worker roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You'll typically have a 12-month OPT period to work and secure H-1B sponsorship. Planning your job search and sponsorship conversations early in your OPT window is essential.
Where can I find Psychiatric Social Worker jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers willing to work with OPT work authorization. Browsing Psychiatric Social Worker listings on Migrate Mate lets you focus on roles at organizations with sponsorship history rather than applying broadly and finding out late in the process that a company won't sponsor.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Psychiatric Social Workers?
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, VA medical centers, and large nonprofit behavioral health organizations have the strongest sponsorship track records for clinical social workers. Cap-exempt employers like nonprofit hospitals and universities can file H-1B petitions year-round, which removes the lottery risk and makes them especially valuable targets during your OPT period.
What happens to my OPT status if my supervised hours are delayed or my licensure is postponed?
Your OPT authorization is tied to your employment being directly related to your degree, not to holding a specific license. A delay in licensure does not automatically invalidate your OPT, but you must remain in a role that is consistent with your MSW degree. If your employer requires licensure as a condition of continued employment, a delay could affect your job status, which would then affect your OPT.