Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Prescott, AZ

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker is assigned to Primary Care Teams (PACT) and provides social work services to adult Veterans receiving care at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. The role provides open access for Veterans seeking services, timely responses to psychosocial crises in PACT, and support for behavioral health needs during crises. PACT duties are typically performed at the duty station, with exceptions as determined by the Chief of Social Work to ensure Veterans receive appropriate care. The position is not virtual; ad-hoc telework is available.

The Social Worker supports Social Work Service programming and works with Veterans and families facing complex medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns. The role conducts psychosocial assessments, identifies mental health and social needs and barriers to treatment, assesses suicide risk and lethality, performs mental status examinations, and develops and implements treatment plans. The Social Worker provides counseling and psychotherapy, case management, crisis intervention, education, and referrals, and coordinates care with treatment teams and community providers. The position also supports community placements and offers consultation about VA benefits, community resources, specialty programs, and advance directives.

The position requires a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent social work practice at the master's level. GS-11 appointment requires one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, or a qualifying doctoral degree in social work in lieu of that experience, along with the required independent-practice licensure or certification. Candidates must demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; occasional travel is required.

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 basic requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• For GS-11 appointment, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, or a doctoral degree in social work that may substitute for that year of experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, referral processes, and service coordination.
• Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for people from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and side effects, and medical terminology sufficient to formulate treatment plans.
• Skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing varied psychiatric conditions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical evaluation and background/security investigation, complete onboarding and application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Must remain current in Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and be able to engage in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior, or have a valid exemption.
• Occasional travel is required.
• The role includes outdoor work in all types of weather and primarily sedentary work with some walking, standing, climbing, stooping, kneeling, carrying light items, driving, or travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in integrated primary care or a medical setting.
• Background in brief, solution-focused, and evidence-based interventions suited to fast-paced primary care environments.
• Experience conducting psychosocial assessments for Veterans with complex medical and behavioral health needs.
• Familiarity with chronic disease management, health behavior change, and motivational interviewing.
• Experience with suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and crisis intervention.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including nurses, primary care providers, pharmacists, and behavioral health providers.
• Skill in care coordination, case management, and helping Veterans navigate systems of care.
• Knowledge of VA and community resources related to housing, transportation, mental health, financial stressors, and caregiver support.
• Experience supporting Veterans with co-occurring conditions such as PTSD, depression, substance use, and chronic pain.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, preferably CPRS.
• Experience facilitating groups, psychoeducation, or health-focused interventions such as stress management and coping skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services to adult Veterans receiving care in PACT, including open access and timely responses to psychosocial and behavioral health crises.
• Identify functioning levels, impairment, psychosocial factors, treatment obstacles, and follow-through barriers; assess lethality and perform mental status examinations.
• Conduct thorough psychosocial assessments, including suicide risk assessments using the Suicide Risk Assessment (CSRE) and other appropriate tools.
• Develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans to support Veterans’ independence and treatment goals.
• Provide counseling, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and individual, family, and group treatment or supportive services.
• Coordinate case management with treatment team members and collaborate with Veterans and families on treatment goals and interventions.
• Coordinate referrals and community placements, including nursing homes, Community Living Centers, residential care homes, and hospice services.
• Act as a liaison with community professionals and resources, including marketing and public relations duties as needed.
• Educate Veterans and families about community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, advance directives, and how to access services.
• Consult with treatment teams and staff about psychosocial needs and their effect on health care planning and treatment compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in occasional travel for conferences, site visits, meetings, training, or other work-related purposes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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