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 awards an amount up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years, as determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Education 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 of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work 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 may be found by going to Exception VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified – pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS‑9 grade level. For the GS‑11 grade level and above – the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment – the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification – including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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 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). Grade determinations: Social Worker – GS‑9 experience – education – and licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities In addition to the experience above – the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying the veteran’s problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Social worker – GS‑11 experience and licensure Appointment to the GS‑11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work‑related settings (VA or non‑VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR education In addition to meeting basic requirements – a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities (GS‑11) In addition to the experience above – candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources – how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures (e.g., acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑9 to GS‑11. Duties The Social Worker in this position will work at the entry level (GS‑9) of duties under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Clinic Manager – or at the full performance level (GS‑11). Screening/assessment – The Social Worker will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team – the veteran and family members/significant others. Treatment planning/goal setting – The Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran, family members/significant others, and other outpatient mental health clinical staff. Referral to service providers – The Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran’s needs. The Social Worker is responsible for educating the veteran and family members/significant others of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran’s preference or that of his surrogate decision‑maker. Resource usage/development – The Social Worker is responsible for using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. The Social Worker will refer the veteran to needed services. Advocacy – The Social Worker will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible – the Social Worker will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf – thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis intervention – The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Education/health promotion and prevention – The Social Worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of non‑institutional and institutional services – The Social Worker will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran. Supportive counseling – The Social Worker may provide veterans and their family members/significant other with ongoing supportive counseling. Therapy – The Social Worker may provide individual and group evidence‑based therapies (e.g., CPT, PE, etc.) to veterans based on clinic and patient need. Administrative responsibilities – The Social Worker will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to insure information on the veteran is shared with other VA staff. Total rewards of an allied health professional work schedule: Monday‑Friday – 0730‑1600. Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized. EDRP authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more – pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay – 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 paid time offer per year (13–26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid federal holidays per year). 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 (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional statement #: 01544F – 01547F. Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr