Social Worker- Readjustment Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Milwaukee, WI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Worker-Readjustment Counselor provides services to eligible individuals experiencing military-related psychological and psychosocial problems. The incumbent independently implements psychotherapeutic approaches with individuals, families, and groups to support the readjustment of Veterans, active-duty Service members, and their families. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. Approved awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with an ad hoc telework option. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full-performance level is GS-11. Relocation, recruitment, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

Candidates must meet VA social worker requirements, including a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent master's-level practice. GS-11 candidates must also meet the specified experience or doctoral education pathway and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The position requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and completion of applicable background, onboarding, and other employment requirements.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree does not substitute for this master's degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional clinical social work experience, with independent-practice licensure or certification still required.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make referrals and coordinate services.
• Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans.
• Ability to independently implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Ability to provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff regarding patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, influenza vaccination, and application-document requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Submit a transcript showing the degree conferral date; foreign education used to meet qualifications requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Complete readjustment counseling intake procedures, including assessment of self-harm risk, military history, military-related psychosocial stressors, family readjustment stressors, and relevant behaviors or symptoms.
• Develop and periodically update individualized readjustment counseling service plans with therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, achievable goals, and measurable outcomes.
• Provide readjustment counseling, including complex psychosocial assessments and direct services, and make psychosocial and psychiatric diagnostic inferences within the clinical scope of practice.
• Assess Veterans in crisis, identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety planning as appropriate.
• Connect Veterans with community services, resources, and opportunities to support independence, health, and well-being.
• Coordinate with Vet Center outreach workers to facilitate referrals and follow-up counseling for individuals encountered at community outreach events.
• Participate in staff meetings that promote team building and staff development.
• Document clinical interactions and care coordination in accordance with policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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