OPT Social Worker Jobs
Social Worker jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, nonprofits, schools, and government agencies. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under STEM-adjacent or social sciences fields, supporting OPT authorization. Clinical positions often require state licensure, so confirm your DSO has approved your employer and role before starting.
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INTRODUCTION
NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk is a 306-bed medical center, providing care to residents of eastern Long Island. The hospital facility is home to the Knapp Cardiac Care Center—an advanced heart disease diagnostic and treatment facility—as well as a modern ambulatory surgical pavilion with specialized services including women's imaging, a sleep laboratory, and bariatric surgery. Our Provisional Level 2 Trauma Center delivers comprehensive and specialized care for patients with traumatic injuries. The Stroke Center at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk is designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Primary Stroke Center, with expert neurologists available to provide treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk has multiple outpatient sites, including an outpatient wound care center, a hemodialysis center, and various primary care and specialty offices.
Position Summary:
We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Care Manager Social Worker - Full Time, Nights - Care Management - Monday - Friday 8:00 PM - 8:00.
In this role, the successful candidate in collaboration with the Care Manager (CM) and other members of the health care team provides clinical social work services for patients and their families in their assigned case load. Responsible for psychosocial assessments and discharge planning for patients with complex psychosocial and medical problems. Assists patients and their families in coping with difficulties related to hospital admission, illness, treatment, and discharge. Provides assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of patient/family needs throughout the hospital stay. Has an integral role on the interdisciplinary team to effectively ensure optimal patient outcomes and length of stay efficiency.
Job Responsibilities:
Discharge Planning
- Identifies patients in assigned caseload with complex social and medical issues through case finding and referral process.
- Collaborates with the CM to implement discharge planning activities for complex patients in order to ensure a timely discharge and provide appropriate linkage with post hospital care providers.
- Assess patients and families psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning levels, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness, and ability to cope.
- In collaboration with the CM participates in daily and weekly care progression rounds case presentation and follow up to facilitate discharge.
- Identifies need for patient care conferences to resolve barriers in care progression and takes a lead role in organizing them.
- Screens for financial needs and refers to appropriate personnel and/or programs and communicates reimbursement information to patients and families in collaboration with responsible CM.
- Communicates and coordinates findings and care recommendations effectively and collaboratively between disciplines to achieve targeted outcomes.
- Documents relevant information in the medical record according to department standards.
- Seeks guidance from CM Manager/Director as needed to manage complex cases and resolve problems.
- Escalates cases with barriers to discharge when unable to resolve issues, according to department procedure.
- Maintains current knowledge of payor reimbursement requirements for post hospital services.
- Maintains a working knowledge of available community resources by establishing a relationship with liaisons and admissions staff at agencies and facilities in the region.
Crisis Intervention/Counseling
- Performs assessment for cases of suspected elder, child, or domestic abuse.
- Complies with required reporting, according to state law and hospital policy.
- Utilizes crisis intervention skills to assist victims/families of child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, sexual/criminal assault and traumatic injury.
- Refers patients/families to appropriate community agencies for further intervention or counseling services as needed.
- Documents all pertinent information in the medical record.
- Communicates with the health care team to facilitate the progression of care.
Patient Rights/Ethics
- Demonstrates knowledge of Advance Directives and patient rights.
- Assists care team in identifying the appropriate decision maker for the patient when the patient lacks decisional capacity.
- Has knowledge of guardianship process and intervenes to assist the clinical team when the need arises.
- Has the ability to counsel/educate patients/families regarding patient rights, decision making and formulating Advance Directives.
- Facilitates family meetings when there is disagreement or lack of clarity around goals of care and plan of care.
- Collaborates with the health care team to help resolve family conflict around care decisions.
- Provides support to patient and family to help facilitate the decision making process.
- Communicates and coordinates findings and recommendations effectively and collaboratively between disciplines to achieve patient focused outcomes.
- Demonstrates knowledge of options for care for patients with life limiting illness.
- Links patient and families to available resources in hospital and community to provide ongoing support such as Palliative Care and Hospice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify you must have a Masters degree in Social work with a current NY state license.
Two years recent experience in a medical setting preferred.
Knowledge of social work policies, procedures, and state and local regulations.
Knowledge of community resources, third party payors and reviewing agencies.
Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
Good organizational skills, ability to prioritize with many competing time demands.
Ability to communicate/collaborate with team members, payors and community agencies while maintaining and promoting positive relationships, using diplomacy, tact, assertion and compassion.
Advanced problem solving skills necessary to manage complex situations.
Computer skills: Proficiency with typing, Microsoft office primarily word and email.
Required Licenses: Licensed Social Worker - NYS
NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk provides its staff with far more than just a place to work. Rather, we are an institution you can be proud of, an institution where you'll feel good about devoting your time and your talents.
NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk is an equal opportunity employer and committed to inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration. We require applications to be completed online.
View Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal.
NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk provides a salary range to comply with the New York state Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $97,674.45 - $111,849.45 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, specialty, education, and hospital need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.
View the Pay Transparency Notice for further details.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Social Worker
Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Social work positions tied to a specific degree field, like clinical social work or psychiatric social work, are stronger OPT fits. Avoid roles with vague degree requirements, as these can complicate future H-1B visa sponsorship with the same employer.
Target employers with existing H-1B sponsorship history
Hospitals, university counseling centers, and large nonprofits like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services regularly sponsor H-1B visas. Prioritizing these employers gives you a realistic path from OPT employment to long-term work authorization.
Get your state licensure process started early
Most clinical social work roles require a state license, which can take months to obtain. Start the application process before your OPT period begins so licensure delays do not interrupt your authorized employment timeline.
Clarify supervision requirements with your employer
Many states require supervised clinical hours before licensure. Confirm your employer can provide a licensed supervisor and that the arrangement is documented, since USCIS may request proof of your employment structure during OPT verification.
Apply to roles that align with your degree field
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your major. A degree in social work, counseling, or human services supports most social worker roles. Document the connection clearly in case your DSO or USCIS requests verification.
Plan your H-1B timeline around the cap deadline
Social work roles at for-profit employers are subject to the H-1B lottery, which opens in March each year. Talk to your employer about sponsorship intentions at least six months before your OPT expires to avoid a gap in status.
Social Worker OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Social Worker on OPT?
Yes. Social work qualifies for OPT authorization when your role is directly related to your degree field, such as a bachelor's or master's in social work, counseling, or a related discipline. Clinical roles at hospitals, nonprofits, and schools are common placements. Confirm with your DSO that your specific employer and job duties align with your academic program before accepting an offer.
Does social work qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Standard social work degrees do not appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so most social work graduates are limited to 12 months of OPT. However, graduates with degrees in fields like applied psychology, public health informatics, or data-focused social science may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension depending on their CIP code. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO to confirm eligibility.
Will social work employers sponsor me for an H-1B after OPT?
Some will. Hospitals, large healthcare systems, and university-affiliated programs have established immigration pathways and are more likely to sponsor. Smaller nonprofits often lack the legal infrastructure for H-1B filings. Use Migrate Mate to filter for social worker roles at employers with a documented sponsorship history, which significantly improves your chances of transitioning from OPT to long-term status.
Do I need a state license to work as a Social Worker on OPT?
Licensure requirements depend on your role and state. Licensed Clinical Social Worker positions typically require a state license, which involves post-degree supervised hours and a licensing exam. Entry-level case manager or social services roles may not require licensure immediately. Research your target state's requirements early, since the licensing process can take three to six months and affects when you can legally practice.
What counts as unemployment on OPT for social work students?
USCIS allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT, or 150 days if you have a STEM extension. Unpaid internships at nonprofits or government agencies can count as authorized OPT employment if the work directly relates to your degree. Volunteer work without formal employment documentation does not count. Gaps between positions count toward your unemployment limit, so avoid extended breaks between roles.