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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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) Supervisor Social Services today with St. David's Medical Center.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
As the Social Work Supervisor, you will serve as assistant to the Director of Case Management in the supervision and evaluation of social work staff, the planning and implementation of social work policies and procedures and maintenance of on-call staff schedule. You will provide direct social work services to a defined population and coordinate coverage of patient social, emotional, and environmental needs in other areas of the hospital as needed.
- You will assist in the hiring, training, and orientation of full-time and PRN staff as well as provide supervision and evaluation of Social Work staff
- You will perform complex discharge planning facilitation for designated patient population
- You will provide patient/family counseling, discharge planning, community resource/long range planning and crisis intervention by referral
- You will evaluate psychosocial needs of patients/families
- You will coordinate reporting and standards of practice review for Social Work services
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum four years of active social work experience, including one year in a health care facility
- Master’s Degree in Social Work
- Licensure by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners at the LMSW level
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - preferred
BENEFITS
St. David's 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 Medical Center, part of St. David’s HealthCare, is a comprehensive medical facility with three locations: St. David’s Medical Center, Heart Hospital of Austin, and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. Located in Central Austin, St. David’s Medical Center features a 371-bed acute care hospital and a 64-bed rehabilitation hospital, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services.
The hospital provides a full spectrum of women's services, including a renowned Level IV maternity unit, maternal-fetal medicine, and a high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team. It also boasts the region’s largest Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and offers outpatient breast imaging services through Solis Mammography, which is situated on-site. Additionally, the facility includes a 24-hour emergency department and a comprehensive stroke center.
St. David’s Medical Center specializes in treating high-acuity surgical patients, offering complex procedures such as spine surgeries, total joint replacements, advanced surgical oncology, bariatric surgery, and general surgery. It is also home to the esteemed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute. The hospital has earned accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Magnet® hospital, the highest and most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can achieve for nursing practice and quality patient care.
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 Supervisor Social 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) Supervisor Social Services today with St. David's Medical Center.
JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS
As the Social Work Supervisor, you will serve as assistant to the Director of Case Management in the supervision and evaluation of social work staff, the planning and implementation of social work policies and procedures and maintenance of on-call staff schedule. You will provide direct social work services to a defined population and coordinate coverage of patient social, emotional, and environmental needs in other areas of the hospital as needed.
- You will assist in the hiring, training, and orientation of full-time and PRN staff as well as provide supervision and evaluation of Social Work staff
- You will perform complex discharge planning facilitation for designated patient population
- You will provide patient/family counseling, discharge planning, community resource/long range planning and crisis intervention by referral
- You will evaluate psychosocial needs of patients/families
- You will coordinate reporting and standards of practice review for Social Work services
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum four years of active social work experience, including one year in a health care facility
- Master’s Degree in Social Work
- Licensure by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners at the LMSW level
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - preferred
BENEFITS
St. David's 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 Medical Center, part of St. David’s HealthCare, is a comprehensive medical facility with three locations: St. David’s Medical Center, Heart Hospital of Austin, and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. Located in Central Austin, St. David’s Medical Center features a 371-bed acute care hospital and a 64-bed rehabilitation hospital, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services.
The hospital provides a full spectrum of women's services, including a renowned Level IV maternity unit, maternal-fetal medicine, and a high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team. It also boasts the region’s largest Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and offers outpatient breast imaging services through Solis Mammography, which is situated on-site. Additionally, the facility includes a 24-hour emergency department and a comprehensive stroke center.
St. David’s Medical Center specializes in treating high-acuity surgical patients, offering complex procedures such as spine surgeries, total joint replacements, advanced surgical oncology, bariatric surgery, and general surgery. It is also home to the esteemed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute. The hospital has earned accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Magnet® hospital, the highest and most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can achieve for nursing practice and quality patient care.
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 Supervisor Social 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 162+ 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.