Social Worker (PACT)

About the role

The Social Worker position is located at the Shavano Park Park VA Clinic: 4350 Lockhill-Selma Road, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78249.

It is part of a comprehensive team which delivers primary care to Veterans in either a longitudinal or episodic fashion, focus on: prevention, health promotion, psychoeducation, care coordination, direct clinical services, and chronic disease case management. The Social Worker PACT can be assigned to different Primary care areas, there are two vacancies to fill.

What you will do

• The incumbent has the primary responsibility to assist PACT Veterans with navigating care, facilitating access to care, and follow-up with the PACT team to ensure appropriate care is being provided; Serves as the liaison between community agencies and VA providers; Complete psychosocial assessments and coordinate care to facilitate the most appropriate delivery of health care services, while linking the Veteran and/or their families with services, resources and opportunities in order to maximize their knowledge, independence, health and well-being; Identifies family/caregiver stressors and conducts assessments and provides specific interventions or referrals on their behalf.
• The incumbent will determinate appropriate level of case management being offered based on Veterans' level of acuity for Veterans' psychosocial circumstances; Completes assessments timely for at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plans in consultation with their supervisor; Establish and maintain professional interactions and relationships with stakeholders both within the VA and the community; Act as a consultant to other team/staff members in regard to different Social Work program areas; Provide education for the Veteran on how to get assigned a PACT provider; Complete assessments via phone, VVC, or face to face; Provide case management to Veterans with high care assessment need (CAN) scores or other complex needs; Uses clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; Assess and document identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and/or Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level and/or in the community; Knowledge of the PACT team approach and the role of each health and allied health care team members, as well as an understanding of the role of the Social Worker in the PACT model.
• This incumbent will be able to identify contributing factors of homelessness, discharge planning, placement/treatment options in the community, and referrals for non-institutional services; Facilitates action for community placements through collaboration with Veterans and their families, as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate community placements are completed in a timely manner; Provides education to Veterans and families in regard to My HealtheVET, Whole Health program, and Community Care options; Provides consultation to other treatments teams 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 and compliance with treatment; Utilize and promotes group, individual, and phone education to complete Advance Care Planning (ACP) and/or Advance Directives in the PACT clinic; Responsive to consults within established time frames and actively works to meet Veteran's psychosocial needs through face to face, phone or telehealth appointments; Will include coverage for outpatient clinics, and unassigned Veterans.
• This position may be assigned to cover clinics within the STVHCS and be required to work at location of clinics during coverage; Performs other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc only, and as determined by the agency policy.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 53793-4F 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.
• Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.
• 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

Qualifications Continued: Preferred Experience: GS-9: Fully licensed at a Master's level Former VA Trainee Prior experience in similar role or with population served GS-11: EBP Certification Prior experience in similar role or with population served Clinical supervision certification Quality or utilization management experience Former VA Trainee 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. Physical Requirements: Physical requirements include the ability to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time, typically in an office setting.

Some light to moderate lifting is required, as well as the ability to reach overhead, use of a computer and telephone for extended periods. Working closely with others, sometimes in close quarters, and demonstrating mental and emotional stability is required.

Education: Accreditation Information: The master's degree must be 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.

Verification of the degree can be made by going to *** to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Note: 38 U.S.C.
• 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.

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.