Inpatient Psychiatric Social Worker

Quick Facts

• Schedule: Friday–Saturday (08:00–18:30)
• Full performance level: GS-11 (selection range GS-9 to GS-11)

Description

Provide social work services to Veterans in an inpatient/residential mental health setting. You will deliver case management, biopsychosocial assessment, advocacy, and coordination with the interdisciplinary treatment team, including safety planning and psychosocial interventions for mental health and substance use based on VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Support treatment goals and contribute to transition/discharge planning by educating Veterans and families about community resources and benefits, making appropriate referrals, and facilitating community placements when needed.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families facing complex psychiatric, substance use, behavioral, or psychosocial challenges
• Complete thorough (or abbreviated, when appropriate) biopsychosocial assessments
• Assist with assessments of high-risk patients to identify risk/protective factors and develop safety plans using the Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) and other tools (as required)
• Provide psychosocial interventions for substance use and mental health under the appropriate supervision level
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings to develop and implement social work treatment goals
• Develop transition/discharge plans with Veterans, families, and the treatment team; educate on community resources and coordinate referrals (medical, mental health, substance abuse, crisis support, housing, financial resources)
• Facilitate community placement referrals and coordination (e.g., contract nursing homes, community living centers, residential care homes, inpatient/outpatient hospice)
• Provide psycho-education and supportive groups for Veterans and families
• Provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy using evidence-based approaches
• Consult and educate Veterans and families on advanced directives, benefits, and specialty programs; coordinate VA and non-VA community services
• Consult with treatment team/staff regarding psychosocial needs and their impact on health care planning and compliance
• Maintain knowledge of Veterans benefits and referral processes across community and governmental programs
• Provide case management across the continuum of care and communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse populations

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level
• Written and spoken English proficiency
• U.S. citizenship
• Subject to background/security investigation and required onboarding/pre-employment steps
• Successful completion of a 1–2 year trial period as a condition of employment
• For GS-11: at least 1 year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in health care or other social work-related settings (or doctoral degree substitution)

Benefits

A federal government position offers a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on the type of position held (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).