Social Worker (PACT)

Veterans Health Administration • McAllen, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The incumbent is a medical social worker in the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (TVCBHCS), assigned to an outpatient clinic. The role provides psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to veterans in a PACT outpatient setting, under the supervision of the Social Work Supervisor. The position is full performance level GS-11, with selection possible at GS-09 to GS-11.

The social worker coordinates community-based services and referrals, develops treatment plans in collaboration with veterans, families, and the interdisciplinary team, and provides individual, group, and family counseling and therapy. The role also includes consultation with staff about psychosocial needs and their effects on health care and treatment adherence; evaluation of practice through peer review and case conferences; and completion of suicide risk assessment documentation in CPRS for patients with suicidal ideation or a high-risk-for-suicide flag.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with listed hours of 0800–1630 or 0900–1730. Ad-hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. Government-vehicle operation may be required, subject to medical clearance.

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 license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level. For GS-9 appointments, the requirement may be waived pending completion of state prerequisites; those appointed without independent licensure must obtain it within three years.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9: demonstrate counseling ability with veterans and families from diverse backgrounds; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate and implement treatment plans; ability to use treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups, including supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques; ability to establish working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting and independent-level state licensure or certification, or a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work in place of the experience requirement.
• For GS-11: knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for diverse individuals; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures to formulate treatment plans; skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation, onboarding, and other application requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must pass a pre-placement examination for safe operation of a government vehicle if required for assigned duties.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the period.
• If claiming education toward qualifications, submit an appropriate transcript; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of medical social work experience, including work with veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Certification in Advanced Case Management or Certified Case Manager (CCM), if available.
• Familiarity with local community agencies and resources.
• Applicants pending licensure requirements may be referred and selected at GS-9, subject to obtaining independent licensure within three years of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Complete psychosocial assessments, diagnoses, and treatment of veterans in a PACT outpatient setting under social work supervision.
• Coordinate community-based services and provide information and referrals to VA programs, government programs, and community agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling and therapy to patients and families experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Apply knowledge of veterans’ benefits and services, including special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension; facilitate referrals based on needs and eligibility.
• Develop treatment plans with veterans and families in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide psychosocial interventions and measure their outcomes.
• Consult with staff about veterans’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plans.
• Evaluate professional practice through peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• Complete the Suicide Risk Assessment shared template in CPRS for patients with suicidal ideation and for patients whose records are flagged high risk for suicide.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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