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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Get Access To All JobsWHO WE ARE
We are VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider since 1978.
Our hospice organization kickstarts careers in caring, promotes from within, and provides a nationally recognized best-in-class employee experience. Supported by industry-leading experts and a growing network of programs in 15+ states, VITAS empowers team members to grow toward their goals while transforming patients’ lives.
Our priority is to care: For our patients, for each other, and for the future.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a hospice social worker, you will provide emotional and logistical support to patients and their loved ones during an important and vulnerable time. You will ensure VITAS patients reach the end of life with their affairs in order, honoring their wishes for finances, funeral arrangements, and more. Their loved ones will trust you to help them navigate the grieving process.
Whether you’re granting an end-of-life wish or simply listening to a patient’s stories at their bedside, your actions—large and small—will make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.
WHERE YOU’LL WORK
Each day is different for our social workers. You will spend most of your time caring for hospice patients wherever they call home, which may be a private residence or an assisted living/skilled nursing facility.
About once a week, you'll come to the office to meet with the rest of your interdisciplinary team: the RNs, physicians, chaplains, and fellow nurses who work together to provide 360-degree support to the patients and families we serve.
WHAT’S EXPECTED FROM YOU
VITAS social workers honor the trust of our patients and center others in their work. In addition to having your social work license, reliable transportation, and at least one year of social work experience in a health care setting, you'll approach your work with the traits that make the VITAS Difference: Commitment, Compassion, and a Can-do Attitude.
You will keep patient welfare at the center of everything you do, giving your best each day in service of our core commitment: Extending comfort and dignity to all people at the end of their life’s journey.
Job Requirements
- Ability to travel per job requirements.
- Thorough knowledge of community resources or the desire/ability to obtain this knowledge.
- Knowledge of key psychosocial issues prevalent with terminally ill patients and their family/caregivers, including the knowledge of effective psychosocial interventions to address those issues.
- Capacity to relate and work well with others as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Excellent listening and communication skills.
- Ability to be an effective patient and family advocate- both within the patient/family unit, within the core IDG, and within community agencies and the like.
- Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and families.
- Offer counseling and crisis intervention services.
- Provide bereavement support and grief counseling.
- Educate patients and families on the emotional and psychological response to the illness progression.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters of Social Work required from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, unless grandfathered in per the 2008 Medicare Hospice Condition of Participation.
- At least one year social work experience in a health care setting.
- Experience as a social worker with the terminally ill and their families, preferred.
- Experience in providing counseling and support to patients and families.
- Empathy and compassion in dealing with seriously ill patients and their families.
- Equivalent experience of licensure may be considered where allowable by State Regulations. (i.e. a BSW in FL or WI) License and/or Certification if required by State.
Minimum State Requirements for the following states:
- AL: Licensed Bachelors of Social Work (LBSW)
- CA: BSW cannot be used as the core SW.
- CT: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- DC: Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
- DE: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- FL: BSW
- GA: Licensed Master Social Worker
- IL: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- MO: Baccalaureate Social Worker (BSW)
- NJ: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- OH: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- PA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- TX: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- VA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- WI: Social Worker Certificate
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
EOE/AA M/F/D/V
VITAS® Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, and has the resources and expertise to support your personal and professional growth. As a member of the VITAS team, you’ll find fulfillment working for a people-focused organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. You will be more than just an employee: You will be counted on as an expert in your field, and as a valued team member whose efforts are respected and vital to our hospice mission.
All VITAS employees commit to fulfilling their duties and responsibilities with the highest regard for professionalism, collaboration and teamwork, and an eye focused constantly on growth and improvement. We serve with commitment and compassion, and position ourselves for the future by embracing, innovating, and leading change. If you are that person, make your voice heard—find your purpose at VITAS today.
Benefits Include:
- Competitive compensation
- Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
- Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Life insurance
- 401(k) plan with numerous investment options and generous company match
- Cancer and/or critical illness benefit
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Program
- Legal Insurance
- Roadside Assistance
- Affinity Program
Many of our positions offer the opportunity to work day or night shifts, weekdays or weekends.
Choose a Career with VITAS
WHO WE ARE
We are VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider since 1978.
Our hospice organization kickstarts careers in caring, promotes from within, and provides a nationally recognized best-in-class employee experience. Supported by industry-leading experts and a growing network of programs in 15+ states, VITAS empowers team members to grow toward their goals while transforming patients’ lives.
Our priority is to care: For our patients, for each other, and for the future.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a hospice social worker, you will provide emotional and logistical support to patients and their loved ones during an important and vulnerable time. You will ensure VITAS patients reach the end of life with their affairs in order, honoring their wishes for finances, funeral arrangements, and more. Their loved ones will trust you to help them navigate the grieving process.
Whether you’re granting an end-of-life wish or simply listening to a patient’s stories at their bedside, your actions—large and small—will make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.
WHERE YOU’LL WORK
Each day is different for our social workers. You will spend most of your time caring for hospice patients wherever they call home, which may be a private residence or an assisted living/skilled nursing facility.
About once a week, you'll come to the office to meet with the rest of your interdisciplinary team: the RNs, physicians, chaplains, and fellow nurses who work together to provide 360-degree support to the patients and families we serve.
WHAT’S EXPECTED FROM YOU
VITAS social workers honor the trust of our patients and center others in their work. In addition to having your social work license, reliable transportation, and at least one year of social work experience in a health care setting, you'll approach your work with the traits that make the VITAS Difference: Commitment, Compassion, and a Can-do Attitude.
You will keep patient welfare at the center of everything you do, giving your best each day in service of our core commitment: Extending comfort and dignity to all people at the end of their life’s journey.
Job Requirements
- Ability to travel per job requirements.
- Thorough knowledge of community resources or the desire/ability to obtain this knowledge.
- Knowledge of key psychosocial issues prevalent with terminally ill patients and their family/caregivers, including the knowledge of effective psychosocial interventions to address those issues.
- Capacity to relate and work well with others as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Excellent listening and communication skills.
- Ability to be an effective patient and family advocate- both within the patient/family unit, within the core IDG, and within community agencies and the like.
- Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and families.
- Offer counseling and crisis intervention services.
- Provide bereavement support and grief counseling.
- Educate patients and families on the emotional and psychological response to the illness progression.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters of Social Work required from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, unless grandfathered in per the 2008 Medicare Hospice Condition of Participation.
- At least one year social work experience in a health care setting.
- Experience as a social worker with the terminally ill and their families, preferred.
- Experience in providing counseling and support to patients and families.
- Empathy and compassion in dealing with seriously ill patients and their families.
- Equivalent experience of licensure may be considered where allowable by State Regulations. (i.e. a BSW in FL or WI) License and/or Certification if required by State.
Minimum State Requirements for the following states:
- AL: Licensed Bachelors of Social Work (LBSW)
- CA: BSW cannot be used as the core SW.
- CT: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- DC: Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
- DE: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- FL: BSW
- GA: Licensed Master Social Worker
- IL: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- MO: Baccalaureate Social Worker (BSW)
- NJ: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- OH: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- PA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- TX: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- VA: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- WI: Social Worker Certificate
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
EOE/AA M/F/D/V
VITAS® Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, and has the resources and expertise to support your personal and professional growth. As a member of the VITAS team, you’ll find fulfillment working for a people-focused organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. You will be more than just an employee: You will be counted on as an expert in your field, and as a valued team member whose efforts are respected and vital to our hospice mission.
All VITAS employees commit to fulfilling their duties and responsibilities with the highest regard for professionalism, collaboration and teamwork, and an eye focused constantly on growth and improvement. We serve with commitment and compassion, and position ourselves for the future by embracing, innovating, and leading change. If you are that person, make your voice heard—find your purpose at VITAS today.
Benefits Include:
- Competitive compensation
- Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
- Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Life insurance
- 401(k) plan with numerous investment options and generous company match
- Cancer and/or critical illness benefit
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Program
- Legal Insurance
- Roadside Assistance
- Affinity Program
Many of our positions offer the opportunity to work day or night shifts, weekdays or weekends.
Choose a Career with VITAS
See all 1,041+ OPT Social Worker Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Social Worker Jobs.
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.