Social Work Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
Social Work Assistant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in social work, psychology, human services, or related fields. Most roles qualify under STEM-adjacent or standard OPT, offering 12 months of work authorization. Community agencies, nonprofits, and government-funded programs regularly hire OPT candidates for direct client support roles.
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Get Access To All JobsAt WelbeHealth, each participant of our program is guided by our interdisciplinary team (IDT) - composed of clinical and non-clinical members who work cohesively to provide quality patient-centered care. Our values and participant focus lead the way no matter what. The WelbeHealth Social Work Assistant acts as an integral part of the IDT that provides direct care to our participants. WelbeHealth will provide you with the team and guidance you need to help our participants achieve their full potential.
The Social Work Assistant provides assistance and manages a caseload of participants working in close coordination with the IDT and Social Worker. The Social Work Assistant functions as a liaison between the participants, their family members, and the IDT by offering advice, implementing treatment plans, coordinating community services, and completing necessary paperwork.
Essential Job Duties:
- Establish rapport with participants and families to provide psychosocial support
- Deliver and document social work interventions as agreed upon within scope of practice including arranging necessary resources and services and assisting with care setting transitions
- In coordination with other Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members, coordinate services as needed pertaining to coordination of care such as housing, DMV needs, utility bills, and other community aid needs
- Complete IDT care plan reviews with participants and family members within regulatory time frames
- Conduct home visits, hospital visits, skilled nursing visits, as necessary
- Assist with completing grievances, appeals incident reports, APS reports, and other quality and compliance requirements as needed
Job Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalency
- Associate degree in social work, human services, social science, or relevant field preferred
- Reliable means of transportation
- Previous experience assisting people with behavioral health and substance abuse issues, preferred
- Previous experience facilitating solutions with difficult psychosocial and family circumstances preferred
- Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred
Benefits of Working at WelbeHealth
Apply your clinical expertise in new ways as we rapidly expand. You will have the opportunity to design the way we work in the context of an encouraging and loving environment where every person feels uniquely cared for.
- Medical Insurance Coverage (Medical, Vision, Dental)
- Work/life balance – we mean it! 17 days of personal time off (PTO), 12 holidays observed annually, and 6 sick days
- 401K savings + match
- And additional benefits
Compensation
- Salary/Wage base range for this role is $21.00 - $26.49 hourly + Bonus. WelbeHealth offers competitive total rewards package that includes, 401k match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other qualifications.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
At WelbeHealth, our mission is to unlock the full potential of our vulnerable seniors. In this spirit, please note that we have a vaccination policy for all our employees and proof of vaccination, or a vaccine declination form will be required prior to employment. WelbeHealth maintains required infection control and PPE standards and has requirements relevant to all team members regarding vaccinations.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At WelbeHealth, we embrace and cherish the diversity of our team members, and we're committed to building a culture of inclusion and belonging. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People seeking employment at WelbeHealth are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), pregnancy or other status protected by applicable law.
Beware of Scams
Please ensure your application is being submitted through a WelbeHealth sponsored site only. Our emails will come from @welbehealth.com email addresses. You will never be asked to purchase your own employment equipment. You can report suspected scam activity to fraud.report@welbehealth.com
At WelbeHealth, each participant of our program is guided by our interdisciplinary team (IDT) - composed of clinical and non-clinical members who work cohesively to provide quality patient-centered care. Our values and participant focus lead the way no matter what. The WelbeHealth Social Work Assistant acts as an integral part of the IDT that provides direct care to our participants. WelbeHealth will provide you with the team and guidance you need to help our participants achieve their full potential.
The Social Work Assistant provides assistance and manages a caseload of participants working in close coordination with the IDT and Social Worker. The Social Work Assistant functions as a liaison between the participants, their family members, and the IDT by offering advice, implementing treatment plans, coordinating community services, and completing necessary paperwork.
Essential Job Duties:
- Establish rapport with participants and families to provide psychosocial support
- Deliver and document social work interventions as agreed upon within scope of practice including arranging necessary resources and services and assisting with care setting transitions
- In coordination with other Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members, coordinate services as needed pertaining to coordination of care such as housing, DMV needs, utility bills, and other community aid needs
- Complete IDT care plan reviews with participants and family members within regulatory time frames
- Conduct home visits, hospital visits, skilled nursing visits, as necessary
- Assist with completing grievances, appeals incident reports, APS reports, and other quality and compliance requirements as needed
Job Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalency
- Associate degree in social work, human services, social science, or relevant field preferred
- Reliable means of transportation
- Previous experience assisting people with behavioral health and substance abuse issues, preferred
- Previous experience facilitating solutions with difficult psychosocial and family circumstances preferred
- Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred
Benefits of Working at WelbeHealth
Apply your clinical expertise in new ways as we rapidly expand. You will have the opportunity to design the way we work in the context of an encouraging and loving environment where every person feels uniquely cared for.
- Medical Insurance Coverage (Medical, Vision, Dental)
- Work/life balance – we mean it! 17 days of personal time off (PTO), 12 holidays observed annually, and 6 sick days
- 401K savings + match
- And additional benefits
Compensation
- Salary/Wage base range for this role is $21.00 - $26.49 hourly + Bonus. WelbeHealth offers competitive total rewards package that includes, 401k match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other qualifications.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
At WelbeHealth, our mission is to unlock the full potential of our vulnerable seniors. In this spirit, please note that we have a vaccination policy for all our employees and proof of vaccination, or a vaccine declination form will be required prior to employment. WelbeHealth maintains required infection control and PPE standards and has requirements relevant to all team members regarding vaccinations.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At WelbeHealth, we embrace and cherish the diversity of our team members, and we're committed to building a culture of inclusion and belonging. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People seeking employment at WelbeHealth are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), pregnancy or other status protected by applicable law.
Beware of Scams
Please ensure your application is being submitted through a WelbeHealth sponsored site only. Our emails will come from @welbehealth.com email addresses. You will never be asked to purchase your own employment equipment. You can report suspected scam activity to fraud.report@welbehealth.com
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Social Work Assistant
Target mission-driven nonprofits and government agencies
Nonprofits and public agencies funded through state or federal contracts often have established HR processes for hiring OPT workers. They hire on a rolling basis and are more accustomed to work authorization questions than smaller private practices.
Lead with your field placement experience
Supervised field hours from your social work program are directly relevant to Social Work Assistant roles. Quantify the populations you served and the case volumes you managed. Employers treat clinical placement experience as equivalent to professional work history.
Check whether the role qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Social work degrees are not on the STEM designated degree list, so standard OPT gives you 12 months. Confirm your degree classification with your DSO before assuming extension eligibility, especially if your program had a quantitative or data-focused concentration.
Highlight licensure progress and state requirements
Many Social Work Assistant roles require or prefer candidates working toward LMSW or LCSW licensure. Noting where you are in that process signals commitment to the field and reassures employers that you are a long-term hire worth sponsoring.
Frame visa sponsorship as a structured, manageable process
Many social services employers have not sponsored before and assume the process is prohibitive. Come prepared with a brief overview of H-1B timelines and costs. Reducing the unknown makes sponsorship conversations far more productive and less likely to end the discussion.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Social Work Assistant jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Social Work Assistant roles qualify under standard F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a closely related field. Your DSO will confirm the connection between your job duties and your degree program before authorizing employment.
Can I work as a Social Work Assistant on OPT without a social work license?
In most states, Social Work Assistant positions do not require independent licensure, since the role operates under the supervision of a licensed social worker. You can work legally on OPT in these roles, though some agencies prefer candidates who are working toward licensure. Check your specific state's requirements, as supervision and title rules vary.
How can I find Social Work Assistant jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search. It filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you are not wasting applications on roles that won't work for your situation. Social services roles at nonprofits, county agencies, and community health organizations are the most common listings for OPT candidates in this field.
Will a Social Work Assistant employer sponsor me for an H-1B after OPT?
Some will, particularly larger nonprofits and public health agencies with established HR departments. Social Work Assistant roles can qualify for H-1B sponsorship if the position meets the specialty occupation standard, which typically requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Smaller community organizations may be less familiar with the process, so raising sponsorship early in the conversation matters.
Does a social work degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Standard social work degrees are not on the DHS STEM designated degree list, so most Social Work Assistant OPT holders receive 12 months of work authorization rather than the 24-month STEM extension. If your degree had a significant data science or quantitative methods component, confirm your degree's classification with your DSO. Assuming extension eligibility without verifying it is one of the most common OPT planning mistakes.
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