Senior Social Worker (Mental Health)

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.

The incumbent is assigned to the Social Work service and is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing social work activities in assigned segments of the Mental Health/Behavioral Science (MH&BS) Section of the service. Major Duties: Independently work with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems. Independently complete comprehensive psychosocial and diagnostic assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families. Conduct ongoing assessments and updates treatment plans as clinically indicated and upon completion or change in the course of the psychosocial intervention. Use specialized outcome measures, such as the PTSD Checklist (PCL) and Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM) to measure effectiveness of treatment and treatment outcomes. Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and actively participate through collaboration with Veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of a resident centered treatment plan. Facilitate discharge planning through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. Serve as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services. Provide consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives. Provide consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning, compliance with treatment, and discharge planning. Maintain knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Complete mental health "high risk" assessments and refer Veterans appropriately after comprehensive assessment of all factors involved. Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor and Chief of Social Work Service. Provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested, to serve as a preceptor for social work students. Contribute to and participate in tracking, trending, and data validation and analysis for the purpose of performance improvement. Maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with MH&BS Service and Social Work Service standards, Joint Commission standards, and facility standards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. This position is eligible for AD-HOC telework Functional Statement #: 41025F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Contact V8_EDRP_WPB@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.