Senior Social Worker (CLC) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive & EDRP Authorized

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 a complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. Education: Hold 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 of social work in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master’s degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Current state requirements can be found at NOTE: Licenses from the state of Alabama no longer meet VA regulatory requirements for independent licensure. If you are licensed in the State of Alabama you must also be licensed at the independent level in another state. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level. Senior Social Worker – GS‑12 Experience and Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post‑advanced practice clinical licensure, and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which one year must be equivalent to the GS‑11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post‑masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned Senior Social Worker must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. To qualify for the assignment of Senior Social Worker at the GS‑12 level you must have two years of experience at the advanced practice level earned while having an active, unrestricted advanced practice license in a U.S. state or territory other than Alabama. Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. (c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area—utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area—along with role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Knowledge in completing biopsychosocial assessments; ability to complete admission‑case‑management and discharge planning to include making referrals for VA and community providers; basic knowledge of eligibility in admission criteria and insurance regulations within the long‑term care arena. Ability to work in a stressful environment with adaptability to schedule changes while maintaining professionalism and courtesy. Knowledge or experience working within a multi‑disciplinary team—providing clinical feedback to address the needs of Veteran/family. Ability to complete psychotherapy sessions with CLC Veterans when appropriate. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS‑12. Physical Requirements: There are no set physical requirements for this position. Use of eyes, hands, walking/standing and hearing may be needed for some functions. Mental, emotional and cognitive stability are required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard—please visit Duties The vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut‑off date is 4/30/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. Responsibilities center on the care management of Veterans in the Chronic Care Living (CLC) environment. The incumbent must use a high level of skill to assess and treat the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans as they adjust to their stay at the CLC or transition to appropriate placement alternatives. Care‑management responsibilities include the management, coordination and provision of social work and supportive services to Veterans and/or their families. The Social Worker is a member of the referral screening team and participates in evaluation and decision‑making for accepting and/or denying CLC referrals. A significant portion of admissions are from within the WTV AHCS; consequently this role also serves as a liaison between the CLC and WTV AHCS regarding referrals and screening processes. The Senior Social Worker will provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role‑model effective social work practice skills, teach or orient less‑experienced social workers, and develop innovations in practice interventions. The CLC Social Worker will manage and coordinate the CLC resident and family/caregiver councils. Treatment planning/goal setting: The Senior Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and family members/caregiver. The psychosocial assessment and minimum data set (MDS) assessment will be completed as specified by policy for the assigned work area. When a Veteran is admitted under hospice, the CLC Social Worker will ensure documentation of the Veteran’s/Family desires for funeral and burial arrangements. The incumbent will participate in weekly interdisciplinary treatment team meetings for treatment planning and provide updates related to psychosocial functioning and discharge. Referral to service providers: Throughout treatment, the Senior Social Worker/ incumbent is the subject‑matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The Senior Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers to assess the Veteran’s needs and to educate the Veteran and family members on available services, assisting them in establishing appropriate referrals based on the Veteran’s preference or that of his surrogate decision‑maker. Advocacy: The Senior Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate, the incumbent will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf—fostering independence and empowerment. Crisis intervention: The Senior Social Worker will perform risk assessments and develop crisis intervention planning as clinically indicated. Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Authorized. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized. EDRP: Authorized. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. A higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (above minimum rate of the grade). Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual PTO per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental leave: After 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child‑care subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144 000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25 % of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children (up to the monthly maximum of $416.66). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (five years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not available; this is not a virtual position. Functional statement #: 000000. Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr