Social Worker (Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Anchorage, AK

18h

About The Position

The Social Worker (Primary Care) independently assesses and treats Veterans’ psychosocial needs, often during crises. The position provides short-term, solution-focused interventions and case management to Veterans, family members, and caregivers. Duties vary by grade; the full performance level is GS-11, and applicants may be selected at GS-9 through GS-11.

At GS-11, the social worker conducts outreach and case finding; identifies and screens patients for psychosocial needs; develops treatment plans; provides counseling, case management, and psychosocial interventions; and evaluates intervention outcomes. The role coordinates community-based services and referrals, identifies high-risk patients, provides crisis intervention, and may coordinate family conferences and act as a liaison to family members. The social worker maintains therapeutic relationships, works independently with patients and families experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems, and consults with other staff about psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment adherence. The role also requires familiarity with Veterans’ benefits and services and the ability to refer Veterans according to their needs and eligibility.

This is an open continuous announcement, open until filled or September 30, 2027. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. A recruitment incentive may be authorized; relocation assistance is not authorized. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval.

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 master’s degree requirement.
• For GS-11 appointment, a current state license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level is required.
• 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 the year of professional experience in a clinical setting.
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of community resources and ability to make and coordinate appropriate referrals.
• For GS-11, demonstrate skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied backgrounds.
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, demonstrate skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• For GS-11, demonstrate ability to provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about patients’ psychosocial needs and their effects on health care and treatment compliance.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• For GS-9, demonstrate a Veteran-centric approach; ability to assess psychosocial needs and formulate treatment plans; ability to implement treatment modalities; ability to establish working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct case finding and outreach, and identify and screen patients for psychosocial needs.
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs, and develop treatment plans identifying problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and needed assistance.
• Provide supportive counseling, case management, and psychosocial interventions to individuals, families, and groups.
• Measure outcomes of psychosocial interventions.
• Coordinate community-based services and referrals based on Veterans’ needs and eligibility.
• Independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide treatment to people from varied socioeconomic, cultural, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Identify high-risk patients and provide case management services.
• Provide crisis intervention, address underlying causes as well as presenting concerns, coordinate family conferences, and serve as a liaison to family members.
• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families.
• Consult with other staff regarding Veterans’ psychosocial needs and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment adherence.
• Use knowledge of Veterans’ benefits and services, including special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program may be available for eligible appointees, subject to application, eligibility, and program approval.
• 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, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other program limits.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment incentive may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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