Social Worker - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Coralville, IA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker provides psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, education, and community-resource coordination for Veterans, their families, and caregivers. The position involves collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and independent implementation of treatment plans to address psychosocial needs and help patients and families cope with disability, terminal illness, and death. The social worker also consults with team members and provides guidance about the psychosocial needs of patients.

The role includes connecting Veterans and families with community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits; serving as a liaison between the VA and community organizations; and providing wellness and prevention education. The incumbent documents interventions in clinical records, maintains data and statistical reports consistent with applicable policies, and supports continuity of care through clear hand-offs. The position requires knowledge of medical and mental health conditions, treatment procedures, medications, and their effects, along with effective communication across cultural and professional settings. Participation in peer reviews, case conferences, and ongoing professional development is expected.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-9 to GS-11.

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 degree level; an exception may apply at GS-9 while completing state prerequisites.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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-level state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience requirement.
• Ability to use a Veteran-centric approach when providing interventions and counseling to Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors.
• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs, formulate and implement treatment plans, and identify problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needs.
• Ability to use supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community-agency representatives.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, knowledge of community resources and ability to make referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11, skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• For GS-11, skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals and families experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• For GS-11, ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff about patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and required pre-employment documentation and identification requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must actively pursue required state licensure or certification; failure to obtain it within the prescribed period may result in removal from the social worker series or termination. Once obtained, licensure or certification must remain full, valid, and unrestricted.
• A pre-employment examination or evaluation is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments of Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and ensure psychosocial needs are considered.
• Independently implement treatment plans and provide individual and family counseling, including support related to disability, terminal illness, and death.
• Educate and advise Veterans and families about community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
• Provide consultation and guidance to team members and other staff on patients’ psychosocial needs.
• Act as a liaison between the VA and community resources, including marketing and public relations duties when needed.
• Provide case management throughout the continuum of care.
• Provide wellness and prevention education.
• Use computer applications for documentation, data management, and tracking.
• Maintain data and statistical reports to comply with JCAHO, VA, and Medical Center policies and procedures.
• Document social work interventions and activities in clinical records and support smooth transfers of patient care.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, families, and community agencies, communicating across cultural and professional settings.
• Participate in professional peer reviews and case conferences, and engage in professional growth and self-evaluation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award may be up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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