Senior Social Worker - Lead In-Patient Mental Health Program

Summary

Lead senior social worker for inpatient mental health providing advanced psychosocial assessment, evidence-based treatment, and crisis intervention. Drives complex discharge planning and continuity of care; core member of interdisciplinary team; consults on suicide risk; leads policy development, training, and quality improvement; coordinates community placements; documents care; mentors staff.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU This position serves as the Inpatient Mental Health Social Work Lead, functioning as the senior clinical social worker and subject matter expert for the Inpatient Mental Health Unit. Higher-level duties described below constitute at least 25% of the Social Worker's assigned work, consistent with the Advanced Practice Level standard. Duties include but are not limited to: Deliver advanced psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment (individual, group, family, crisis) for high-acuity Veterans on the inpatient mental health unit. Lead complex/high-risk discharge planning; convene care team meetings; coordinate transitions and continuity of care across outpatient/residential programs per VHA Directive 1160.06. Serve as a core member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team; participate in twice-weekly ITT reviews and provide senior clinical input on complex cases. Consult on suicide risk assessment and safety planning; provide coverage for suicide prevention activities in the SPC's absence. Design recovery-oriented interventions; collaborate with the Local Recovery Coordinator and address needs of women and LGBTQ+ Veterans in programming and discharge planning. Develop/refine psychosocial assessment and intervention models; evaluate outcomes and lead unit-wide quality improvement/program evaluation. Mentor and guide social workers and trainees; lead orientation/training; provide case consultation and informal supervision. [ Coordinate complex community placements (nursing home/residential treatment); expand VA/community resource networks and manage referrals/negotiations. Ensure accurate documentation in CPRS/Mental Health Suite; uphold unit standards for handoffs and communication. Represent social work on facility/VISN committees/workgroups; draft and maintain unit policies, procedures, and practice guidelines. Support program administration: report trends/problems, ensure compliance with VA/VHA policies, EEO, safety and security; maintain productivity and clinical quality. Provide weekend shift coverage as assigned to ensure continuity of services. Participate in FPPE/OPPE; maintain an IDP; pursue continuing education; provide clinical supervision toward licensure where authorized. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am to 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/13/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13079456. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 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) Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

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.