Social Worker - Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

About the role

The HBPC Social Worker is a member of a multidisciplinary team providing interdisciplinary primary care in the homes of Veterans with serious medical & psychosocial behavioral conditions for whom routine clinic based care is not effective or may not be possible. They provide intensive case management & caregiver support.

They also collaborate with community partners & other professional agencies in care coordination & mobilization of tailored services for the Veteran or caregiver.

What you will do

• Performs comprehensive initial and follow-up assessments to meet the psychosocial needs of the patient and their support systems.
• Independently uses evidence-based screening tools and assessments.
• Develops the psychosocial plan of care, following advanced assessment and screening, to improve the patient's ability to achieve optimal psychosocial functioning.
• Partners with the interdisciplinary team to enhance the Veteran's psychosocial treatment plan, experience, and progress toward treatment goals.
• Responsible for crisis intervention and/or suicide prevention in home environments & functions without additional staff support or supervision in patient homes.
• Performs rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans.
• Assess for suicidality and self-harm, perform appropriate interventions, and create a safety plan for the Veteran.
• Assist with admission to inpatient programs as needed.
• Provides case management services to Veterans and facilitates integration of varied services for the treatment of complex medical, psychosocial, rehabilitative, behavioral, or palliative care needs.
• Supports the Veteran and caregiver in coping with all aspects of chronic disease.
• Assess and intervenes to address caregiver burden.
• Completes documentation in accordance with applicable policy and standards.
• Provides Veterans with evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Coordinates the delivery of psychosocial services and provides psychotherapy to assist Veterans in coping with complex and chronic illness, functional decline, changes in condition, adjustment, caregiver burden, and bereavement.
• Offers education and support and encourages the Veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, fostering a sense of independence and empowerment in the Veteran.
• Act as an advocate, serving the best interest of the Veteran.
• Implements methods for measuring effectiveness of practice and utilizes measures to improve treatment services within the Geriatrics & Extended Care Service.
• Establishes and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers, and stakeholders within the VA and with outside community agencies.
• Collaborates with other service providers in assessing the Veteran's needs.
• Offers education to the Veteran and caregiver on available services and assists them with referrals.
• Coordinates care with the Veteran, their caregiver, and other relevant parties through the continuum of care.
• Refer and connect the Veteran to needed services.
• Provides expert-level consultation on advance care planning, caregiver support, and aging-in-place resources.
• Provides orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students.
• Offers training to other staff in both formal and informal settings including team meetings, grand rounds, and continuing education offerings.
• Operates a government vehicle in the performance of their duties, and, subsequently must maintain medical clearance from the employee health department, have a valid state driver's license, and provide proof of insurability.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized 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 401K 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 #: 92136-O Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• (Driver's License Requirement) 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.

Education

A transcript, either official or unofficial, must be submitted with your application for ALL degrees. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process.

Your transcript must include the following information: Your Name Name of the college or university Full address of the college or university Degree Received Date Conferred 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: *** 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: ***

How you will be evaluated

Additional Information Section Continued. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Driver's License Requirement: You may be required to provide your driver's license at the time of interview.

A clean driving record report and a copy of your driver's license will be required during the online onboarding process.

A current, valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position.

Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)-You must ensure all duties are detailed in your resume and it clearly shows how you meet the KSA's of the position.
• We cannot make any assumption on duties performed or level of experience based on a job title.
• All duties must be described under each job entry with the beginning and ending dates of employment (month and year and hours worked per week).
• If we are unable to determine your qualifications based on the application materials submitted we are unable to refer you for consideration.
• Social Work Licensure- Current (active and unexpired) license; documentation must be submitted with application package.
• Transcripts-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.
• Note: 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 *** website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work.
• Transcripts must be submitted with application.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Social Work Licensure Other (2) Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply to the 0185 occupational series per OCHCO Bulletin for the annual determination of staffing shortages as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7412 dated September 25, 2025.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

The Dayton, Ohio VA & its CBOC's are committed to hiring a diverse workforce from various backgrounds and individuals who demonstrate a diversity, equity and inclusion-related mindset and behaviors.

We are strongly seeking candidates who represent the full range of cultural and identity factors including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation/identity, gender identity and expression, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, spiritual practices, geographic region, and other characteristics.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at ***.

Applicant written complaints should include the following: Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known). Date of contact. Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.

Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.