Senior Social Worker-Weekends-EDRP Approved

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP),a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval,award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period(one to five years)are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Provides coverage to include, but not limited to: Inpatient Units, Intensive Care Units, Emergency Department and Outpatient Services on the weekend. Ensures continued discharge planning occurs for Veterans whose discharge has been coordinated by the assigned, daily social worker. Initiates contact with newly admitted Veteran patients to assess/anticipate discharge needs, begin planning, document and communicate the information to the daily, assigned social worker. Provides a variety of services for Veterans including but not limited to psychosocial assessments, pre-discharge and admission planning, short-term solution focused therapy with individuals and families who may be in crisis, education and referral for resources and benefits, suicide risk screening/assessment, clinical reminders, and post-intervention follow-up. Evaluates Veterans and family members/significant others situation and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Interprets and explains VA's treatment and benefit programs. Performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. Makes a psychosocial diagnosis and develops an appropriate treatment plan, and provides counseling services. Determines eligibility for services, completes needs assessment, develops a comprehensive care plan, identifies resources and referrals, and coordination and monitoring of services. Provides information and education to patients and families to help assure that ongoing medical, emotional, and social needs are met. Coordinates care with other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physician, psychiatrist, nurse, chaplain, pharmacist, and other social workers. Completes suicide risk screenings and suicide risk assessments and other clinical reminders as appropriate. Identifies who is at high-risk and in need of acute mental health care and a further mental health evaluation. Assists Veterans in coping with acute illness, chronic illness, combat stress, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), community adjustment, addictions, and other health and mental health problems. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths. identifies high-risk patients and provides crisis intervention services. Incumbent completes suicide risk screens C-SSRS, CSRE, and Safety Plans, completing and documenting assessments within the timelines and guidelines outlined in local policy and guidelines (i.e., VANTHCS Suicide Prevention Standard of Work) as required. Works in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and Veteran/family, including setting achievable treatment goals for psychosocial clinical treatment. Participates on an interdisciplinary team and recommends a course of treatment. Documents Social Work plan in patients' record. Adjusts the psychosocial treatment plans and interventions based on changing needs and responses to interventions. Initiates and effects changes in methods and interventions to promote efficient practice and improve patient outcomes. Provides individual and group counseling services, including short term solution focused psychotherapy and family services, based on licensure and scope of practice. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age-associated illnesses and conditions. Provides a full range of psychoeducation and psychosocial treatment interventions, including, but not limited to Veteran and caregiver support for emotional needs, information and referral for financial and other resource needs provided by VA and community agencies, and appropriate and timely involvement of palliative and hospice care Provides Case Management to Veterans requiring substantial communication skills, organizational skills, problem solving and time management. Utilizes various counseling approaches to include, but not limited to conflict resolution, anger management and effective/healthy coping skills. Ensures that services provided are compliant with all regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the population served and monitors medical center performance related to population served Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday 7:00am to 5:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55677-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 examination. 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/. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. If your school was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.

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 10/27/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13082052. 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 (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 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.

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.