OPT Social Services Specialist Jobs
Social Services Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in social work, psychology, or public health. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension categories only if the employer codes the position correctly. Government and nonprofit employers frequently hire on OPT and are familiar with the authorization process.
Find OPT Social Services Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 47+ Social Services Specialist jobs
See all 47+ Social Services Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Social Services Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about the patient experience? At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to caring for patients with purpose and integrity. We care like family! Jump-start your career as a(an) Social Worker MSW Emergency Services today with St. David's South Austin Medical Center.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Social Worker (MSW) is responsible for non-clinical, biopsychosocial assessments and interventions for the inpatient floors and the outpatient emergency department. The MSW performs crisis intervention, patient/family interventions, high-risk screening, focused emotional support, and referrals for financial assistance or other identified resource needs. The MSW assists in post-acute care placement on all discharges, primarily with those patients identified with post-discharge behavioral health and patient assistance/resource needs. The MSW is dedicated to patient and family-centered care that values personal self-determination, prioritization, and engages in creative and compassionate problem-solving. The scope of this role includes intensive care units, Trauma, Oncology, NICU, Transplant, and ED. The MSW responds to physician, non-discharge planning social work consults throughout the facility.
What you will do in this role:
- You will work collaboratively with RN case managers, acute care nurses, physicians, insurance companies, and other staff members to proactively identify and address patient needs.
- You will identify and address barriers to discharge and recovery. These barriers include financial, emotional, psychosocial, medical, and spiritual.
- You will maintain a thorough working knowledge of the rules of Medicare, Medicaid, and private payer regulations and processes. You will possess a thorough understanding of managed-care concepts and length-of-stay management relating to patient and organizational fiscal responsibility.
- You will perform thorough assessments and develop appropriate discharge plans for high-risk patients with discharge planning or psychosocial needs.
- You will coordinate and facilitate meetings between the care team and patients/families/caregivers. You will assist patients and families in making difficult decisions while honoring their preferences and values.
- You will intervene with patients/families/caregivers for psychosocial needs, assistance, and support in coping with chronic acute terminal illness. You will engage in consultation, discharge planning, education, counseling, advocacy, and information referrals to meet the emotional, social, and financial aspects of care.
- You will provide emotional support to patients and family members during complex and/or emotionally charged issues, such as end-of-life, terminal illness notifications, death notification (with physician), and crisis interventions.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters Degree
- (LMSW/RCSW-I) Licensed Master Social Worker/Reg Clin SW-Intern, or (LCSW) Clinical Social Worker
BENEFITS
St. David's South Austin Medical Center offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
St. David's South Austin Medical Center is a 368-bed acute care hospital within St. David’s HealthCare, offering comprehensive specialty and sub-specialty services. Key programs include a nationally accredited oncology program featuring the region’s only adult Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program; a Level II trauma center; advanced cardiac, stroke, and orthopedic services; full-service maternity and newborn care; and four community emergency centers in Bee Cave and Bastrop.
The facility is affiliated with the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery, providing advanced robotic capabilities for orthopedics, open heart and lung procedures, complex GI surgery, surgical oncology, general and colorectal surgery, and urology. It was also among the first hospitals in Central Texas to integrate CT imaging with robotics for early lung cancer detection.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Social Worker MSW Emergency Services opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
INTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about the patient experience? At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to caring for patients with purpose and integrity. We care like family! Jump-start your career as a(an) Social Worker MSW Emergency Services today with St. David's South Austin Medical Center.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Social Worker (MSW) is responsible for non-clinical, biopsychosocial assessments and interventions for the inpatient floors and the outpatient emergency department. The MSW performs crisis intervention, patient/family interventions, high-risk screening, focused emotional support, and referrals for financial assistance or other identified resource needs. The MSW assists in post-acute care placement on all discharges, primarily with those patients identified with post-discharge behavioral health and patient assistance/resource needs. The MSW is dedicated to patient and family-centered care that values personal self-determination, prioritization, and engages in creative and compassionate problem-solving. The scope of this role includes intensive care units, Trauma, Oncology, NICU, Transplant, and ED. The MSW responds to physician, non-discharge planning social work consults throughout the facility.
What you will do in this role:
- You will work collaboratively with RN case managers, acute care nurses, physicians, insurance companies, and other staff members to proactively identify and address patient needs.
- You will identify and address barriers to discharge and recovery. These barriers include financial, emotional, psychosocial, medical, and spiritual.
- You will maintain a thorough working knowledge of the rules of Medicare, Medicaid, and private payer regulations and processes. You will possess a thorough understanding of managed-care concepts and length-of-stay management relating to patient and organizational fiscal responsibility.
- You will perform thorough assessments and develop appropriate discharge plans for high-risk patients with discharge planning or psychosocial needs.
- You will coordinate and facilitate meetings between the care team and patients/families/caregivers. You will assist patients and families in making difficult decisions while honoring their preferences and values.
- You will intervene with patients/families/caregivers for psychosocial needs, assistance, and support in coping with chronic acute terminal illness. You will engage in consultation, discharge planning, education, counseling, advocacy, and information referrals to meet the emotional, social, and financial aspects of care.
- You will provide emotional support to patients and family members during complex and/or emotionally charged issues, such as end-of-life, terminal illness notifications, death notification (with physician), and crisis interventions.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters Degree
- (LMSW/RCSW-I) Licensed Master Social Worker/Reg Clin SW-Intern, or (LCSW) Clinical Social Worker
BENEFITS
St. David's South Austin Medical Center offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
- Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
- Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
- Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
- Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
- Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
- Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
St. David's South Austin Medical Center is a 368-bed acute care hospital within St. David’s HealthCare, offering comprehensive specialty and sub-specialty services. Key programs include a nationally accredited oncology program featuring the region’s only adult Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program; a Level II trauma center; advanced cardiac, stroke, and orthopedic services; full-service maternity and newborn care; and four community emergency centers in Bee Cave and Bastrop.
The facility is affiliated with the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery, providing advanced robotic capabilities for orthopedics, open heart and lung procedures, complex GI surgery, surgical oncology, general and colorectal surgery, and urology. It was also among the first hospitals in Central Texas to integrate CT imaging with robotics for early lung cancer detection.
HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.
"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Social Worker MSW Emergency Services opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
See all 47+ OPT Social Services Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Social Services Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Social Services Specialist
Target employers with OPT hiring experience
Government agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare systems regularly hire OPT students for social services roles. These employers understand work authorization timelines and are less likely to withdraw an offer due to unfamiliarity with F-1 status.
Confirm your degree field supports the role
Social Services Specialist positions typically require a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. Confirm your degree aligns with the job description before applying to avoid authorization complications during onboarding.
Clarify STEM OPT eligibility with your DSO early
Some Social Services Specialist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if the employer files an I-983 training plan. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm eligibility.
Apply before your OPT start date approaches
Many social services employers run background checks and credentialing processes that take four to six weeks. Starting your job search at least three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough buffer to clear these requirements.
Address your work authorization status directly
Hiring managers in social services are often unfamiliar with OPT. Briefly explain that you're authorized to work for any employer without sponsorship during your OPT period. This removes hesitation early and keeps the focus on your qualifications.
Highlight client-facing and case management experience
Internships, practicum placements, and volunteer work in social services count as relevant experience. Quantify outcomes where possible, such as caseload size or program participation rates, to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
Social Services Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Social Services Specialists?
Yes. F-1 students with post-completion OPT authorization can work as Social Services Specialists for any qualifying employer. The role must be directly related to your field of study, which typically means a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, public health, or a closely related discipline. Your EAD card serves as your work authorization document.
Do Social Services Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on how your degree is classified. Social work and psychology degrees do not typically fall under STEM-designated CIP codes, which means most Social Services Specialist roles will not qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. However, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as public health informatics or applied behavioral science, you may qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO.
Do Social Services Specialist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Government agencies and large nonprofits sometimes sponsor H-1B visas for social services roles, but it is less common than in technology or finance sectors. Social work positions also face specialty occupation scrutiny during H-1B adjudication. Starting conversations about long-term sponsorship intent during the offer stage, rather than after onboarding, gives you a clearer picture before committing.
Where can I find Social Services Specialist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by work authorization compatibility. Browsing Social Services Specialist listings on Migrate Mate lets you identify employers already familiar with OPT and avoid wasting time on roles that require permanent work authorization or citizenship from the start of the process.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B sponsorship?
If your OPT expires before an H-1B is filed or approved, you lose work authorization and must stop working. The H-1B cap-subject lottery takes place once per year with an October 1 start date. Planning your OPT end date against the H-1B timeline is critical. If your OPT ends in a gap year, a cap-exempt employer or a change of status through other visa categories may be options worth exploring with an immigration attorney.