Social Worker-Acute Care and Intensive Care

Veterans Health Administration • Spokane, WA

6d

About The Position

The Social Worker provides acute care and intensive care social work services, with duties varying by grade. At the GS-11 level, the role conducts psychosocial assessments; develops and monitors treatment plans; provides individual, family, and group counseling; coordinates care and referrals; and consults with healthcare staff about psychosocial needs and their effects on treatment and well-being. The social worker serves patients from diverse backgrounds and contributes to interdisciplinary care planning, staff and student development, and quality improvement while following professional ethics, licensing requirements, VHA policies, and evidence-based practices.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is not virtual; ad hoc telework is available. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.

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 this basic requirement.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare or another social-work-related setting, plus state licensure or certification for independent practice at the master’s level; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional clinical social work experience.
• State licensure or certification for independent practice at the master’s degree level is required for GS-11 and above and must be maintained as full, valid, and unrestricted.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-11, knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11, skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from diverse backgrounds.
• For GS-11, knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications and their effects, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans.
• For GS-11, skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• For GS-11, ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff about patient psychosocial needs and effects on healthcare and treatment compliance.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must pass a background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must have a valid state-issued driver’s license with an unrestricted history in accordance with VA policy to drive a government vehicle.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
• Must complete application requirements and online onboarding; acceptable identification is required, and from May 7, 2025, identification used for employment must meet the stated REAL ID requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the agency’s evaluation and written certification of continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• One year of acute medicine inpatient social work experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify strengths, barriers, needs, and treatment requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling for psychiatric, medical, social, and behavioral health concerns.
• Use supportive counseling, crisis intervention, problem-solving, and other therapeutic techniques to help patients achieve treatment goals.
• Deliver psychosocial treatment to people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and demographic backgrounds.
• Assess how environmental, social, cultural, and developmental factors affect health, functioning, and treatment outcomes.
• Coordinate care and collaborate with healthcare providers, community agencies, and governmental organizations to maintain continuity of services.
• Identify and facilitate referrals to community programs, supportive resources, and benefit programs.
• Advise healthcare staff on psychosocial issues and their effects on treatment compliance and well-being.
• Apply knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, treatment modalities, medications, disabilities, and healthcare terminology in care planning.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, case records, treatment plans, and patient data in approved electronic systems.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, advocate for patient needs, and contribute to coordinated care planning.
• Orient, mentor, and coach new social workers, trainees, and social work graduate students in field placements.
• Evaluate professional practice through peer review, case consultation, continuing education, and quality improvement.
• Follow professional ethics, licensing requirements, VHA policies, and evidence-based social work practices.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or VA 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.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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