Social Worker (Inpatient Psychiatry Unit)

About the role

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.

What you will do

• This position provides social work services to the Veteran population enrolled in the Inpatient/Residential Mental Health Section in the MHS at the SAVAHCS.
• Services include provision of high-quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination with other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the patient.
• Services are provided in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post graduate experience in the field of social work and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
• In addition to meeting basic requirements, a Doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work may substitute for the required 1 year of post graduate professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Individuals assigned as GS-11 social workers are considered to be at the full performance level.
• A GS-11 social worker has a Master's Degree in Social Work granted by a graduate program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Major duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families, including those facing complex medical, psychiatric, substance use, behavioral, or psychosocial challenges.
• The incumbent completes thorough (or abbreviated when appropriate) biopsychosocial assessments to determine the substance use and mental health needs, psychosocial functioning and associated needs of the Veteran and/or their family.
• The incumbent, under the supervision of a licensed social worker, conducts assessments of high-risk patients to identify risk factors, protective factors, and develops a safety plan using the Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) and other appropriate tools.
• The incumbent, under the supervision of a licensed social worker, can provide substance use and mental health focused psychosocial interventions outlined in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• The incumbent actively participates as an interdisciplinary treatment team member through collaboration with the Veteran and family to develop and implement social work treatment goals and interventions.
• The incumbent can develop a timely and viable transition/discharge plan in concert with the Veteran, their family, and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• The incumbent educates the Veteran and family regarding community resources and makes referrals to these resources for community reintegration as appropriate.
• Referrals may include but are not limited to medical, substance abuse, mental health, potential crisis support, housing, and financial resources.
• The incumbent is able to facilitate community placements through partnership with the Veteran and their family as well as the interdisciplinary treatment team in a timely manner.
• Community placement referrals may involve but are not limited to contract nursing homes, community living centers, residential care homes, and inpatient and outpatient hospice services.
• The incumbent possesses knowledge and the ability to provide psycho-educational treatment modalities, educational classes, and/or treatment including supportive groups for the Veteran and his or her family.
• The incumbent demonstrates basic knowledge of evidence-based therapies and experience in providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
• The incumbent provides consultation and education to the Veteran and their family regarding advanced directives, community resources, eligibility for benefits and specialty programs.
• Consultation and education include the process of providing information, referrals, accessing and/or coordinating the VA and/or non-VA community-based services.
• The incumbent provides consultation to the treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of the Veteran and/or family and how these needs impact the Veteran's health care planning and compliance with treatment.
• The incumbent maintains knowledge of the Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and processes for making appropriate referrals to the community and other governmental programs or agencies.
• The incumbent possesses skills and knowledge to provide case management services to the Veteran and his or her family throughout the continuum of care.
• The incumbent possesses and demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Work Schedule: Friday - Saturday/ 0800-1830 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

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.
• 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

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

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript 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 (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Independent Practice Level Licensure SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

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

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.

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.