Social Work Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's social work sector spans healthcare systems, child welfare agencies, and community mental health centers, with major employers including UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids concentrate the most hiring activity for internationally trained social workers seeking visa sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
Provide specialized Social Work assessment, treatment and services to children/young adults with developmental disabilities, behavioral concerns or serious emotional disorders within the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD). Address complex emotional and/or social problems through outpatient consultation and participates in and/or provides teaching, research, program development and administrative responsibilities. A Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) is required for this position.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs psycho-social and behavior assessments with individualized interventions for patients with complex developmental, behavioral and emotional disorder diagnosis and their families.
- Provides direct services to include casework, social group work and family/child therapy sessions, including Parent Child Interaction Therapy, ImPACT and Incredible Years Group Therapy.
- Serves as a resource for and provides information and assistance for medical providers, clinicians, patients, and families regarding Waiver programs and application process.
- Participates with Developmental Behavior Pediatricians in providing prenatal and inpatient NICU consultation for expectant parents and to families of babies with the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida.
- Responds to urgent, emergent, or escalating clinical situations within CDD. Provides assessment, support, and serves as liaison between appropriate departments.
- Provides consultation for and responds to reported suspicion of abuse reports at CDD. Acts as resource to clinicians. Provides proper documentation, and files report with DHS when appropriate.
- Coordinates the CDD Neurodevelopment Evaluation (NDE) clinic. Provides patient and family care coordination, patient triage to ensure timely access of care and serves as leader for team meetings and process improvement.
- Completes medical social work documentation in EPIC. Maintains statistical records of social service activity for CDD patients served.
- Plans for and provides care coordination and referral services to community-based supports and programs for patients and their families as needed.
- Participates in and conducts program planning and development in programs to benefit CDD patients and families.
- Assists with the preparation of grant proposals or manuscripts, as requested.
- Provides consultation to CDD and UI Health Care Medical staff and Social Workers and to community social services agencies as requested, especially in areas of specialized competencies, i.e. developmental disabilities, behavioral concerns, serious emotional disorders.
- Participates in CDD departmental and clinical staff meetings and contributes to the development of CDD social work department and/or CDD programs and policies as assigned. Serve on CDD committees as assigned.
- Completes administrative tasks and functions as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited program.
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) licensed to practice social work in Iowa or ability to obtain LISW licensure by time of hire.
- 3-5 years Social Work experience providing clinical social work assessment, intervention, and treatment.
- Experience providing individual, family, and/or group behavioral health services.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing clinical social work services to children, adolescents, young adults, and families.
- Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, behavioral concerns, and/or co-occurring mental health needs.
- Experience providing evidence-based individual, family, or group interventions.
- Experience providing clinical services in an outpatient health care or integrated behavioral health setting.
- Experience with clinical documentation, treatment planning, and delivery of billable behavioral health services.
- Comprehensive knowledge of community and state programs and resources to support families and individuals with special health care needs.
- Experience providing crisis assessment, brief intervention, and care coordination for patients and families with complex needs.
- Knowledge of community and state programs and resources supporting individuals with disabilities and special health care needs.
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across medical, behavioral health, rehabilitation, educational, and community settings.
- Experience with program development, quality improvement, teaching, or clinical education.
- Certification by the Academy of Certified Social Workers.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please attach a resume and cover letter (check the box for required attachments) as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and education verification. Please contact michael-lynch-2@uiowa.edu with any questions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Classification Title: Social Work Specialist I
- Appointment Type: SEIU
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
COMPENSATION
- Pay Level: 8
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Michael Lynch
- Contact Email: michael-lynch-2@uiowa.edu
Social Work Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Social Work Jobs in IowaSocial Work Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for social workers in Iowa?
Healthcare-affiliated employers are among the most active sponsors for social work roles in Iowa. UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Broadlawns Medical Center have sponsored foreign national employees in clinical and social service positions. Larger nonprofit agencies and state-contracted child welfare organizations occasionally sponsor as well, though smaller community nonprofits rarely have the legal infrastructure to file H-1B visa petitions.
Which visa types are most common for social work roles in Iowa?
The H-1B is the most commonly used visa for licensed clinical social workers in Iowa, as the role typically requires a Master of Social Work degree and state licensure, satisfying the specialty occupation standard. Some positions at university-affiliated medical centers qualify under J-1 visa exchange visitor programs. EB-3 immigrant visas are another pathway for qualified social workers pursuing permanent residence through employer sponsorship.
Which cities in Iowa have the most social work sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids account for the majority of social work sponsorship opportunities in Iowa. Des Moines hosts the largest concentration of healthcare systems and state agency offices. Iowa City benefits from the University of Iowa's hospital and research infrastructure. Cedar Rapids has a strong network of community health and behavioral health organizations that hire licensed clinical social workers.
How to find social work visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find social work visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa, with listings filtered specifically for roles where employers have indicated willingness to sponsor work visas. Rather than sorting through thousands of general postings, you can focus on Iowa-based social work and clinical roles from healthcare systems, nonprofits, and government-contracted agencies that have sponsorship capacity.
Are there state-specific considerations for social workers seeking sponsorship in Iowa?
Iowa requires Licensed Clinical Social Workers to hold an LCSW credential issued by the Iowa Board of Social Work, and employers sponsoring H-1B workers must certify a prevailing wage through the Department of Labor before filing. International candidates should confirm their foreign MSW degree meets Iowa's licensing equivalency standards early in the process, as credential evaluation can add time before licensure and employment can begin.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored social work jobs in Iowa?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.