Senior Social Worker (Hospice and Palliative Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker (Hospice and Palliative Care) is part of the Geriatrics & Extended Care Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. This full-time position provides social work services to Veterans on the inpatient Hospice unit and to patients followed by the outpatient Palliative Care team. The role requires advanced practice skills and judgment, specialized hospice and/or palliative care experience, and the ability to serve as a resource to clinical staff and provide education to Fellows and other trainees on psychosocial issues in palliative medicine and end-of-life care.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and timely application. Following application review, the program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply. This is a permanent, non-virtual position with ad-hoc telework. Recruitment incentives and relocation assistance are not authorized. The position is covered by a special salary rate.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
• Advanced-practice-level state licensure or certification, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless covered by the stated state grandfathering exception; must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least two years of experience after obtaining advanced practice clinical licensure, including one year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Specialized social work practice experience in a hospice and/or palliative care clinical setting is expected.
• Experience must demonstrate advanced practice skills and judgment, and expertise in a specialized area of social work practice.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Demonstrate 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 developing and implementing methods to measure social work practice and service effectiveness, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and to model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines related to the service delivery area.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, pre-employment physical evaluation, and any required credentialing; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Submit a transcript with the application if relying on education to meet qualification requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized social work experience in hospice and/or palliative care, including management of complex physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of Veterans with advanced progressive or terminal illnesses.
• Competency in comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, DSM-5 multi-axial diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, and ongoing case management for patients and families facing end-of-life issues.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, APRNs, nurses, psychologists, chaplains, and community agencies, to coordinate care and support goals-of-care discussions and communication.
• Knowledge and application of VA benefits, Social Security, disability programs, community resources, and specialized hospice-related services, including referral, linkage, and advocacy for Veterans and caregivers.
• Experience counseling and supporting individuals, couples, and families regarding anticipatory grief, bereavement, coping strategies, caregiver stress, and the emotional effects of chronic or terminal illness.
• Expertise in discharge planning and care coordination, including skilled nursing, residential care, adult day health, and coordination with Non-VA care partners for hospice or home-based services.
• Experience educating and training clinical staff, Fellows, and trainees on psychosocial topics related to palliative medicine, end-of-life ethics, grief and loss, and community resource navigation.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ understanding of their diagnoses and proposed treatments.
• Help Veterans cope with end-of-life or complex chronic illness diagnoses and related emotions; provide education on relaxation and other coping strategies.
• Assess treatment options in light of Veterans’ work, family, and other obligations.
• Collaborate with agencies when a Veteran’s care involves multiple entities.
• Educate patients about VA, Social Security, and disability benefits; refer and link them to community agencies with specialized benefits.
• Counsel individuals, couples, and families and refer them to specialized mental health providers as appropriate.
• Connect patients and families with support groups and educational programs.
• Facilitate communication among the treatment team, Veterans, and families, including advocacy and family discussions about illness, healthcare, and life changes.
• Support end-of-life planning and care preferences, including advance healthcare directives and discussions of values and preferences concerning life-sustaining treatments.
• Plan inpatient and outpatient discharges and placements in residential care facilities, subacute skilled nursing facilities, and adult day healthcare programs.
• Address the effects of end-of-life and chronic illness on intimacy, body image, and living with uncertainty about life expectancy.
• Refer Veterans to and coordinate hospice services, including coordination with Non-VA Care Coordination; advocate for home health or hospice care when requested.
• Coordinate bereavement support services with VA Maine chaplain services and/or community hospice agencies.
• Provide specialized consultation and serve as a resource to clinical colleagues; provide training and education to Fellows and other trainees on psychosocial topics related to palliative medicine and end-of-life care.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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