Social Worker (PACT)

About the role

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Social Worker provides clinical services in the Primary Care Clinic at the VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics

What you will do

• The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) delivers primary care to Veterans in a longitudinal rather than episodic fashion and which focuses on prevention, health promotion, coordination, and chronic disease management.
• The PACT Social Worker in this Veteran-centric approach primarily functions as a direct-care provider for all psychosocial and behavioral health issues with assigned panels of Veterans.
• The PACT Social Worker also functions as a care coordinator to ensure that access to and services provided for healthcare meets the needs of the Veteran, as defined by the Veteran/Caregiver.
• The PACT Social Worker is uniquely prepared for the role by virtue of education, training, and experience which prepares the incumbent to understand the person-in-situation and the influences that family and community have in impacting the healthcare needs of Veterans.
• Major duties include but not limited to: Identify problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and needed assistance.
• Provide psychosocial support to Veterans with highly complex health and/or mental health problems and the provision of short-term, solution focused counseling with Veterans and/or their families.
• Make rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for Veterans in crisis.
• In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, the PACT Social Worker will follow the protocol of the VA Medical Center or corresponding Community Clinic.
• Maintain access to approved resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis.
• Work in conjunction with the PCMHI staff or other Mental Health staff to ensure a warm handoff where appropriate in the event of a requested admission to mental health inpatient programs.
• Complete appropriate clinical reminders and screening tools for assessing suicide risk.
• As appropriate, will complete Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations (CSRE) and Safety Plans.
• Function as a vital member of the interdisciplinary follow-up team for any Veterans flagged as high risk for suicide and work closely with the PCMHI staff or other Mental Health staff at their clinic for appropriate warm handoffs when needed.
• Represent the VA with professionalism and respect to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources.
• Collaborate with other service providers in assessing the Veteran's needs as appropriate.
• Educate Veterans and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of their authorized surrogate decision-maker.
• Utilize current VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans.
• Serve as a liaison with community agencies, assist Veterans (or caregivers) with referrals for services from community and government agencies, and help coordinate these services, when appropriate.
• Coordinate with other VA staff and community agencies to assist in problem solving as needed.
• Run psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational groups for Veterans, caregivers and/or family members Function as an independent provider within the PACT.
• Act as a care coordinator and case manager for psychosocial concerns related to psychosocial determinants of health for Veterans assigned to their panel.
• Work in conjunction with the Senior PACT Social Workers and the Primary Care Social Work Supervisor to ensure that psychosocial, mental health and social work services are provided appropriately to all patients throughout the healthcare system.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran patient, family members and significant others; interviewing Veterans and family members/significant others and writing the psychosocial assessment.
• Ensure biopsychosocial assessments highlight Veterans' strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize their functional status.
• Assess and treat the complicated psychosocial and behavioral health problems of Veterans, caregivers and their families/significant others.
• Assess, treat, and appropriately refer for the psychosocial problems that cause distress, which often impact the health condition and create barriers to care.
• These stressors can include adjustment to the current medical condition, untreated or under-treated mental health or substance abuse condition, economic instability, legal problems, and inadequate housing and transportation.
• Accept referrals from any member of the interdisciplinary team, Veterans, caregivers and/or family members who call or walk-in for assistance, and from community professionals.
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: This position is eligible for telework on an Ad- Hoc Basis per agency policy Functional Statement #: GS 9: 08133F/ GS 11: 654 - 09406-F

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) 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) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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.