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 JobsTo Heal. To Teach. To Discover. At University Hospitals, these words represent more than just our mission; they encapsulate the opportunities available to the numerous world-class doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and support staff who choose to join UH and make a difference.
The Social Worker 2 role within the UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital offers a unique chance to become part of a dynamic, collaborative interdisciplinary team. This position adds value to patient care and significantly assists patients with various issues.
We currently offer an opportunity for a Full Time Social Worker to support newborns in the NICU and their families in Cleveland.
Joining our team comes with several benefits, including:
- Free parking for regular status caregivers
- Tuition reimbursement
- Full benefits and retirement
- Support for continuing education, career growth, and professional development
A Brief Overview
Collaborates with all members of the health care team, patient and family (or significant others) to coordinate timely and efficient assessment of psychosocial and discharge planning needs and formulation of patient and family centered discharge plans. Serves a resource to others in work-team and department.
What You Will Do
-
Provides psychosocial assessment / intervention to assist patients/families (including clinically complex)
-
Provides age specific care to patients/families in all age groups.
-
Develops, documents and implements a comprehensive plan based on identified psychosocial needs and/or discharge needs.
-
Develops plans with attention to individual patient and family goals
- Provides linkage to community resources and UH network services to facilitate optimal care
- Communicates/collaborates with the work team using a multidisciplinary approach.
- Provides guidance/ consultation to peers/team regarding routine psychosocial issues and /or discharge planning issues.
- Provides supervision to social work interns if LISW eligible (completion of supervision hours).
Additional Responsibilities
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
- For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
- Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.
Education
Master's Degree from an accredited school of Social Work (Required)
Work Experience
Hospital/Health Agency experience (Preferred)
Licenses and Certifications
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW) (Required)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) (Preferred within 1 Year)
Position Details/Preferred Qualifications
Previous work with newborns is strongly preferred. This position provides social work coverage for newborns in the NICU and their families. The social worker performs psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, supportive counseling, provides resource referrals, and safe, timely discharge planning.
Physical Demands
- Standing Frequently
- Walking Frequently
- Sitting Rarely
- Lifting Frequently 50 lbs
- Carrying Frequently 50 lbs
- Pushing Frequently 50 lbs
- Pulling Frequently 50 lbs
- Climbing Occasionally 50 lbs
- Balancing Occasionally
- Stooping Frequently
- Kneeling Frequently
- Crouching Frequently
- Crawling Occasionally
- Reaching Frequently
- Handling Frequently
- Grasping Frequently
- Feeling Constantly
- Talking Constantly
- Hearing Constantly
- Repetitive Motions Constantly
- Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly
To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. At University Hospitals, these words represent more than just our mission; they encapsulate the opportunities available to the numerous world-class doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and support staff who choose to join UH and make a difference.
The Social Worker 2 role within the UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital offers a unique chance to become part of a dynamic, collaborative interdisciplinary team. This position adds value to patient care and significantly assists patients with various issues.
We currently offer an opportunity for a Full Time Social Worker to support newborns in the NICU and their families in Cleveland.
Joining our team comes with several benefits, including:
- Free parking for regular status caregivers
- Tuition reimbursement
- Full benefits and retirement
- Support for continuing education, career growth, and professional development
A Brief Overview
Collaborates with all members of the health care team, patient and family (or significant others) to coordinate timely and efficient assessment of psychosocial and discharge planning needs and formulation of patient and family centered discharge plans. Serves a resource to others in work-team and department.
What You Will Do
-
Provides psychosocial assessment / intervention to assist patients/families (including clinically complex)
-
Provides age specific care to patients/families in all age groups.
-
Develops, documents and implements a comprehensive plan based on identified psychosocial needs and/or discharge needs.
-
Develops plans with attention to individual patient and family goals
- Provides linkage to community resources and UH network services to facilitate optimal care
- Communicates/collaborates with the work team using a multidisciplinary approach.
- Provides guidance/ consultation to peers/team regarding routine psychosocial issues and /or discharge planning issues.
- Provides supervision to social work interns if LISW eligible (completion of supervision hours).
Additional Responsibilities
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
- For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
- Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.
Education
Master's Degree from an accredited school of Social Work (Required)
Work Experience
Hospital/Health Agency experience (Preferred)
Licenses and Certifications
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW) (Required)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) (Preferred within 1 Year)
Position Details/Preferred Qualifications
Previous work with newborns is strongly preferred. This position provides social work coverage for newborns in the NICU and their families. The social worker performs psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, supportive counseling, provides resource referrals, and safe, timely discharge planning.
Physical Demands
- Standing Frequently
- Walking Frequently
- Sitting Rarely
- Lifting Frequently 50 lbs
- Carrying Frequently 50 lbs
- Pushing Frequently 50 lbs
- Pulling Frequently 50 lbs
- Climbing Occasionally 50 lbs
- Balancing Occasionally
- Stooping Frequently
- Kneeling Frequently
- Crouching Frequently
- Crawling Occasionally
- Reaching Frequently
- Handling Frequently
- Grasping Frequently
- Feeling Constantly
- Talking Constantly
- Hearing Constantly
- Repetitive Motions Constantly
- Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly
See all 1,241+ 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.