Senior Social Worker

Quick Facts

• Title: Senior Social Worker (GS-12)

• Schedule: 7:00am–3:30pm; may include a Saturday or Sunday shift

Description

Provide advanced clinical social work services to Veterans by interviewing Veterans to understand presenting problems and impacts on functioning and health, and by interpreting and explaining VA treatment and benefit programs. Review referral data, complete psychosocial assessments, identify needs and strengths, assess high-risk factors (including suicidal and homicidal ideation), and determine appropriate disposition and treatment approaches. Deliver individual and group counseling (including psychotherapy in some settings), coordinate care transitions between inpatient and outpatient resources, and consult with interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial interviews and assessments; make reasoned conclusions and psychosocial diagnoses

• Develop preliminary disposition plans and psychosocial treatment plans with the interdisciplinary team

• Assess at-risk factors and manage complex cases involving psychiatric, medical, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses

• Provide counseling, emotional support, guidance, and assistance to Veterans and family/significant others

• Provide individual/group counseling and, where applicable, psychotherapy

• Coordinate transfer of care to appropriate VHA and community resources

• Provide independent clinical consultation and recommendations to interdisciplinary teams

• Establish and maintain continuing therapeutic relationships; monitor progress toward goals and adjust plans

• Maintain comprehensive clinical documentation and ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment

• Provide leadership, coaching, orientation, in-service training, and continuing education for social work staff

• Participate in committees, work groups, and task forces at facility/VISN/national or community level (as appropriate)

• Develop or contribute to policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959

• Proficient in written and spoken English

• Background/security investigation required

• Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school (no substitution by a doctorate)

• State licensure/certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level

• Advanced practice state licensure/certification (advanced generalist or clinical examination) and ability to provide supervision for licensure

• At least 2 years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure; specialty area practice with 1 year equivalent to GS-11

• Demonstrated KSAs: specialized intervention/treatment modalities; advanced differential diagnosis/treatment; outcomes measurement; specialized consultation; advanced practice knowledge and policy/guideline writing

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation and complete required onboarding

Benefits

• Pay: competitive salary and regular salary increases

• Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)

• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment

• Child care subsidy: potential eligibility after 60 days for full-time employees with total family income below $144,000

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options (many can be carried into retirement)

• Eligibility: benefits depend on position type and eligibility