Senior Social Worker

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Candidates must have a master’s degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree may not be substituted for the master’s degree. Verification: The degree can be verified by checking Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Current state requirements may be found at Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. Only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations Senior Social Worker – GS‑12: Requires at least two years of experience post‑advanced practice licensure and one year at GS‑11. Must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level. Demonstrates advanced practice skills, judgment, and expertise in a specialized area of practice. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Candidates must demonstrate skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities; ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment; knowledge of developing and implementing outcome evaluations; ability to provide specialized consultation; and ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies and procedures. Functional Statement #: 10919-F Reference – For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Duties The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns in the Geriatrics program. Assignments may include clinical settings where supervision is limited, such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics. The senior social worker collaborates with other treatment team members to provide comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensuring equity of access, service, and benefits to this population and that care provided is of the highest quality. Major duties include: developing, evaluating, and communicating standards, policies, procedures, and plans of care for Geriatrics programs including dementia care; educating medical center colleagues and students about Geriatrics programs and services; evaluating Geriatrics and dementia care practices and taking action to improve identified deficiencies; tracking program assessments, consults, authorizations, statistics, and data management; identifying significant findings; problem‑solving; and completing documentation reports. Providing Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling to address the psychosocial impact of chronic or disabling illness, catastrophic illness, and end‑of‑life issues, as well as needs for non‑institutional or institutional services. Willingly accepting additional and special assignments necessary to meet Geriatrics and Extended Care service goals. Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases. Above‑minimum rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications. Paid time off: 37–50 days annual paid time (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs (max $416.66 per month). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (multiple federal programs may continue into retirement). Telework: Ad‑hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10919-F #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs