Senior Social Worker (Acute Mental Health ED)

Veterans Health Administration • Loma Linda, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker is a licensed clinical social worker in the Acute Mental Health Section, providing advanced clinical services to Veterans who present to the Emergency Department with acute mental health, substance use, and complex psychosocial needs. The role includes assessing and screening Veterans, conducting crisis and risk assessments, developing safety plans, and recommending treatment and disposition in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

The incumbent provides specialized assessment and treatment for complex physical and mental health conditions, incorporating multiple contributing factors into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The position independently conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develops individualized treatment and safety plans, delivers evidence-based interventions, evaluates treatment responses, and adjusts care as needed. Interventions may include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, brief psychotherapy, and individual, family, or group treatment as clinically appropriate.

The social worker coordinates care and referrals with VA programs, government agencies, and community organizations, helping Veterans access mental health and substance use treatment, housing resources, and other supports. The incumbent collaborates with ED providers, psychiatry, nursing, and other disciplines to address immediate needs, plan safe discharge, and promote continuity of care. The role also includes clinical consultation and professional input for colleagues, and may include guidance, education, and mentorship for social work colleagues, trainees, and students. The position does not assume staff supervision, administrative oversight, or management of ED Social Work operations.

The incumbent maintains timely and accurate clinical documentation, follows ED, Mental Health Service, and VHA policies and procedures, participates in required training and clinical reviews, and contributes to quality improvement activities. The work schedule is Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Wednesday, 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; it is subject to change based on agency needs. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree does not substitute for the MSW requirement.
• State licensure or certification at the advanced practice level, with ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure; one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of methods for measuring the effectiveness of social work practice and services, using outcome evaluation to improve treatment and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines related to the service delivery area.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation; may be required to serve a probationary period and complete online onboarding.
• Must participate in seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination programs, subject to legally required accommodations.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Submit required transcripts and copies of licensure or certification with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program.
• Advanced clinical social work experience in an emergency department, acute mental health, or psychiatric crisis setting.
• Strong skills in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, complex psychosocial assessments, and discharge planning.
• Experience coordinating interdisciplinary care, providing clinical consultation and mentorship, supporting daily team operations, and participating in quality improvement initiatives.
• Independent clinical judgment, leadership abilities, and knowledge of VA and community mental health resources.

Responsibilities

• Assess Veterans presenting to the Emergency Department for mental health, substance use, and psychosocial needs, including brief screening and case finding.
• Provide crisis intervention and conduct suicide and violence risk assessments; develop safety plans and treatment recommendations.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans with Veterans, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide evidence-based interventions such as crisis intervention, supportive counseling, brief psychotherapy, and individual, family, or group treatment as clinically appropriate.
• Evaluate Veterans’ responses to treatment and adjust interventions according to clinical presentation and identified needs.
• Coordinate treatment and disposition planning with ED providers, psychiatry, nursing, and other clinical disciplines; participate in ED huddles, team meetings, and case consultations.
• Identify barriers to treatment and coordinate referrals and follow-up services, including VA programs, government agencies, community organizations, mental health and substance use services, and housing resources.
• Support safe discharge planning and continuity of mental health care following ED visits.
• Provide clinical consultation and professional input to interdisciplinary colleagues regarding complex psychosocial issues, mental health crises, and interventions.
• As appropriate, provide clinical guidance, education, and mentorship to social work colleagues, trainees, and students.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation and comply with ED, Mental Health Service, and VHA policies and procedures.
• Participate in required training, clinical reviews, and quality improvement initiatives; use outcome evaluations and evidence-based practice to improve services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval, with award amounts up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position and employment status.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible credit for qualifying prior federal, non-federal, or uniformed military service if requested and approved.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior