OPT Social Work Jobs
Social work roles in the U.S. typically require a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW), making them a strong fit for OPT authorization. Most positions qualify under STEM-adjacent behavioral science fields. Clinical roles often require state licensure, so start that process early alongside your OPT application.
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At Nuvance Health, we enjoy the benefits of a two-state system as we cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected and supported. Together, we are a team of 15,000+ strong hearts and open minds. If you share our values of connected, personal, agile and imaginative, we invite you to discover what’s possible for you and your career.
When you join our growing, multi-specialty medical practice, you can enjoy the advantages of being a part of a large health system while working in a more intimate setting than a hospital. You can build relationships with patients over time as you take advantage of opportunities for more team building, socialization and work-life balance.
We offer a range of outpatient practices, including primary care, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, OB/GYN, bariatric, surgical, cardiology and infectious diseases. Join the Nuvance Health medical practice and be part of a collaborative team in an environment of open communication and unwavering compassion.
Title: Care Coordinator Social Work - Care Coordination - Danbury, CT - Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm / 1 weekend a month
Summary:
The Care Coordination Social Worker (LMSW) is responsible for providing counseling, crisis intervention and complex discharge planning services to assigned inpatients and patients in designated outpatient areas. Participates in discharge plan design with the Clinical Care Coordinator on the units or in the ED. Seeks conservatorships when needed and is knowledgeable about all available community resources.
Responsibilities:
-
Completes assessments as needed and collaborates with the Clinical Care Coordinator to identify needs and design an appropriate discharge plan. Manages an assigned group of patients, including those with complex discharge plans. Implements the plans and with the Care Coordination Assistants ensures that all services and equipment and/or transportation are confirmed for day of discharge. Notifies appropriate members of the healthcare team of any delay or late day discharges.
-
Serves as an assigned or on call resource to the POE Clinical Care Coordinator to identify and implement discharge options in the ED. Provides counseling to patients/families in crisis, offer substance abuse counseling and referrals, financial need referrals and grief counseling. Provide staff support at times of traumatic loss. Keeps Clinical Care Coordinator informed appropriately. Provides education to ED.
-
Maternal/Child Health: Provides grief counseling for fetal demise, sudden death as well as providing referrals for identified needs. Participates in MDR in NICU.
-
Assesses assigned patients for abuse/neglect, domestic violence, and reports to appropriate agencies, Clinical Care Coordinators and other internal departments per protocol. Initiates and coordinates applications for conservatorships, works with appropriate legal counsel and courts as needed.
-
Lead patient and family conferences as needed. Provide Advanced Directive resources as needed as well as the Patient Right to Choose information for selection of post-acute hospital care.
-
If patient has been readmitted within 30 days of discharge, complete the readmission and CARL tool.
-
Ensure that Clinical Care Coordinator is informed of any changes to discharge plan or barriers to a safe and timely discharge.
-
Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education Skills Experience:
MASTER'S LVL DGRE
Other Information:
Required: Requires a minimum formal education of Master's Degree in Social Work and a minimum of three years counseling and discharge planning experience in an acute care hospital or equivalent, and demonstrated discharge planning and implementation skills. Analyze financial and social situations, identifying problems and alternative courses of action. Ability to be flexible, resourceful and creative in problem solving. Requires a high degree of prioritization skills. Ability to act independently and offer suggestions and new ideas for improving performance and operations. Keeps supervisor, peers, physicians, interdisciplinary team members, patients and families informed about progress, problems and developments. Proofread and check documents for errors as well as the ability to use a keyboard to enter, retrieve, and transform data. Effectively communicate with physicians, patients, families and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Minimum Experience: three years
Desired: Case Management Certification preferred.
Salary Range: $36.53 - $67.90 Hourly
With strong hearts and open minds, we’re pushing past boundaries and challenging the expected, all in the name of possibility. We are neighbors caring for neighbors, working together as partners in health to improve the lives of the people we serve. If you share our passion for the health of our communities, advance your career with Nuvance Health!
Description
At Nuvance Health, we enjoy the benefits of a two-state system as we cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected and supported. Together, we are a team of 15,000+ strong hearts and open minds. If you share our values of connected, personal, agile and imaginative, we invite you to discover what’s possible for you and your career.
When you join our growing, multi-specialty medical practice, you can enjoy the advantages of being a part of a large health system while working in a more intimate setting than a hospital. You can build relationships with patients over time as you take advantage of opportunities for more team building, socialization and work-life balance.
We offer a range of outpatient practices, including primary care, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, OB/GYN, bariatric, surgical, cardiology and infectious diseases. Join the Nuvance Health medical practice and be part of a collaborative team in an environment of open communication and unwavering compassion.
Title: Care Coordinator Social Work - Care Coordination - Danbury, CT - Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm / 1 weekend a month
Summary:
The Care Coordination Social Worker (LMSW) is responsible for providing counseling, crisis intervention and complex discharge planning services to assigned inpatients and patients in designated outpatient areas. Participates in discharge plan design with the Clinical Care Coordinator on the units or in the ED. Seeks conservatorships when needed and is knowledgeable about all available community resources.
Responsibilities:
-
Completes assessments as needed and collaborates with the Clinical Care Coordinator to identify needs and design an appropriate discharge plan. Manages an assigned group of patients, including those with complex discharge plans. Implements the plans and with the Care Coordination Assistants ensures that all services and equipment and/or transportation are confirmed for day of discharge. Notifies appropriate members of the healthcare team of any delay or late day discharges.
-
Serves as an assigned or on call resource to the POE Clinical Care Coordinator to identify and implement discharge options in the ED. Provides counseling to patients/families in crisis, offer substance abuse counseling and referrals, financial need referrals and grief counseling. Provide staff support at times of traumatic loss. Keeps Clinical Care Coordinator informed appropriately. Provides education to ED.
-
Maternal/Child Health: Provides grief counseling for fetal demise, sudden death as well as providing referrals for identified needs. Participates in MDR in NICU.
-
Assesses assigned patients for abuse/neglect, domestic violence, and reports to appropriate agencies, Clinical Care Coordinators and other internal departments per protocol. Initiates and coordinates applications for conservatorships, works with appropriate legal counsel and courts as needed.
-
Lead patient and family conferences as needed. Provide Advanced Directive resources as needed as well as the Patient Right to Choose information for selection of post-acute hospital care.
-
If patient has been readmitted within 30 days of discharge, complete the readmission and CARL tool.
-
Ensure that Clinical Care Coordinator is informed of any changes to discharge plan or barriers to a safe and timely discharge.
-
Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education Skills Experience:
MASTER'S LVL DGRE
Other Information:
Required: Requires a minimum formal education of Master's Degree in Social Work and a minimum of three years counseling and discharge planning experience in an acute care hospital or equivalent, and demonstrated discharge planning and implementation skills. Analyze financial and social situations, identifying problems and alternative courses of action. Ability to be flexible, resourceful and creative in problem solving. Requires a high degree of prioritization skills. Ability to act independently and offer suggestions and new ideas for improving performance and operations. Keeps supervisor, peers, physicians, interdisciplinary team members, patients and families informed about progress, problems and developments. Proofread and check documents for errors as well as the ability to use a keyboard to enter, retrieve, and transform data. Effectively communicate with physicians, patients, families and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Minimum Experience: three years
Desired: Case Management Certification preferred.
Salary Range: $36.53 - $67.90 Hourly
With strong hearts and open minds, we’re pushing past boundaries and challenging the expected, all in the name of possibility. We are neighbors caring for neighbors, working together as partners in health to improve the lives of the people we serve. If you share our passion for the health of our communities, advance your career with Nuvance Health!
See all 3,732+ OPT Social Work Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Social Work Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Social Work
Prioritize MSW programs with field placements
Employers in clinical and hospital settings expect supervised field hours. Highlighting your practicum experience signals you can hit the ground running, which matters when hiring managers are weighing the administrative overhead of OPT work authorization.
Address licensure requirements upfront
Many social work roles require an LMSW or LCSW. Know your state's supervised hours requirement and timeline. Telling employers you have a clear licensure plan removes a major objection before it becomes a reason to pass on your application.
Target nonprofits and government agencies first
Nonprofits, county agencies, and federally funded programs hire social workers regularly and are often more familiar with OPT authorization than private practices. These organizations also tend to offer supervision hours needed for licensure while you work.
Frame your international background as an asset
Social work values cultural competency. If you work with immigrant or refugee populations, your language skills and lived experience are genuine differentiators. Lead with this in cover letters when applying to community-based or multicultural service organizations.
Apply before your OPT start date
Onboarding for social work roles often involves background checks, credential verification, and agency orientation. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to complete that process without pressure.
Search OPT-friendly social work roles on Migrate Mate
Not every employer understands OPT work authorization. Migrate Mate filters jobs to surface employers already open to sponsoring international candidates, saving you time and reducing rejection from employers unfamiliar with the process.
Social Work OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do social work jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Social work positions tied to a BSW or MSW degree qualify for OPT. If your degree is classified under a STEM-designated CIP code, you may also be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, though social work degrees are not always STEM-designated. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming extension eligibility.
Can I work as a social worker on OPT without a state license?
It depends on the role and state. Many entry-level and case management positions don't require licensure and can be performed under supervision during OPT. Clinical roles, including therapy and independent practice, typically require an LMSW or LCSW. Research your state's specific requirements and ask prospective employers whether the role is license-exempt or supervision-based.
How do I find social work employers who accept OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to find social work roles from employers already open to OPT candidates. Targeting nonprofits, hospital social work departments, and government-funded agencies is also effective, as these organizations frequently work with international hires and are more likely to understand OPT timelines and authorization requirements.
Does OPT allow me to work in school social work or government roles?
Yes. OPT permits employment in public schools, county agencies, and government-funded social services, provided the work is directly related to your degree field. Some government positions have citizenship requirements, particularly at the federal level, so confirm eligibility with each employer before applying. State and local roles are generally more accessible to OPT students.
What happens to my OPT if my social work employer can't transition me to H-1B?
If your employer cannot or does not file an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires, your work authorization ends. Social work roles can qualify for H-1B as specialty occupations, particularly MSW-level clinical positions. It's worth discussing long-term sponsorship intentions with your employer early, ideally during or shortly after the offer stage, so you have time to explore options.