Senior Social Worker- Emergency Room, Psychiatric Unit and Acute Care

Summary

The Senior Social Worker may be the sole practitioner in this specialty at VAWCHCS and provides direct patient care services across multiple program areas. The Senior Social Worker oversees the daily operation of assigned programs, develops policies and procedures for program operations, and prepares reports and statistics for VA WCHCS, the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national use.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU · Independently works within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan · Conducts and completes a comprehensive assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, Veteran, family members, and significant others as appropriate. · Understands the range of treatment and skills needed for all Veterans, including visually impaired and geriatric Veterans, related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, age associated illnesses, and conditions. · Understands the problems of advancing age with respect for the diversification of the aging Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of geriatric Veterans, and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of the Veteran population. · Independently make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans for referral/admission to mental health inpatient programs. · Provides the veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. · Collaborates with other service providers in assessing and reassessing Veteran needs. · Responsible for educating Veterans and/or caregivers of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of their surrogate decision-maker. · Establishs and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. · Participates in developing new programs within the Acute Care setting. · Collaborates with staff in mental health, substance use, community home health, hospice teams, and other allied healthcare professions to address the end-of-life, mental health, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of Veterans, families, and caregivers. · Coordinates with home hospice, CLC, other long-term care facilities or skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers, and/or contract remote medical providers. · Coordinates and communicates care needs with inpatient and outpatient interdisciplinary teams. · Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. · Responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. · Develops an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. · Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including visually impaired and geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. · Understands the problems of advancing age and diversification of the aging veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric veteran and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population. · Develops treatment plans and set achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. · Updates the treatment plan if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs · Reviews the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for social work services. · Educates the veteran, their families, and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred option. · Assists in identifying the health education needs of Veterans and their families or caregivers and works with the interdisciplinary team to develop a plan to address health education needs. · Provides specialized health and psychosocial education services to the Veteran, family, and/or caregivers. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 615292-O 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. 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 10/19/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13083141. 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: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript 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 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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.