Social Worker ( Mental Health) ICMHRS

Veterans Health Administration • Montgomery, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker provides mental health and psychosocial services to Veterans and their families or caregivers. The position contributes to treatment planning and goal setting, evaluates psychosocial needs, and coordinates treatment, rehabilitation, and discharge consistent with program goals and individualized treatment plans. The Social Worker provides individual, family, and group therapies and educational programs, with appropriate evaluation and documentation, for people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

The role includes consultation on VA and community resources, referrals based on Veteran or surrogate decision-maker preferences, resource development and use, advocacy, and case management. The Social Worker supports Veterans and families in navigating services and promotes independence, self-determination, quality of life, recovery, and community reintegration. The position also requires rapid crisis assessment and crisis-management planning, including when mental health inpatient admission may be indicated, while following clinic and medical-center emergency protocols.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 or GS-11. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. The VA provides a federal benefits package, including paid leave, retirement, and insurance benefits.

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 level for GS-11 and above. A limited exception may apply at GS-9 while completing state prerequisites.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11 appointment: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the year of professional clinical social work experience.
• GS-9 candidates must demonstrate counseling ability; psychosocial assessment and treatment-planning skills; ability to implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; effective communication and working relationships with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental-health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; independent psychosocial assessment and intervention skills with diverse populations; knowledge of diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans; ability to independently implement treatment modalities; and ability to consult with new social workers, students, and staff.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must complete a background/security investigation, online onboarding, required application documentation, and applicable pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to treatment plans and establish SMART treatment goals with Veterans, family members or caregivers, and other indicated stakeholders; complete and update plans according to policy.
• Consult on VA and community resources and collaborate with service providers to reassess Veterans’ needs.
• Educate Veterans and families or caregivers about available services and help establish appropriate referrals in accordance with the Veteran’s or surrogate decision-maker’s preferences.
• Use and develop relevant VA and community resources and refer Veterans to services as needed.
• Advocate for Veterans and their families or caregivers when appropriate, and empower them through education and support to advocate for themselves.
• Conduct rapid crisis assessments and develop crisis-management plans, particularly when mental health inpatient admission may be indicated; follow applicable emergency protocols.
• Promote appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and discharge consistent with program goals and individual treatment plans.
• Provide psychosocial treatment and evaluation through individual, family, and group therapies and educational programs, with documentation.
• Provide consultation regarding clinical needs and treatment plans, and case-management services for assigned patients.
• Provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff regarding patient psychosocial needs and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment compliance.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award may be up to $200,000.
• 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.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000; up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Potential annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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