Social Worker (Inpatient Medicine)

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Acute Inpatient General Medicine section at the Wade Park Division. The Social Worker provides coverage for assigned medicine and hospitalist teams and assists with absentee coverage for other Medicine Service Social Workers.

The role supports veterans and their families with psychosocial assessment, counseling, treatment planning, and discharge planning. Discharge planning may include home care services, acute inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, or hospice. The Social Worker participates in interdisciplinary team discussions about patients’ medical conditions, treatment courses, approximate lengths of stay, and discharge-level-of-care needs. The position requires knowledge of community resources and programs, and coordination of services through VA, other government programs, and community agencies.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The position is in the Excepted Service. The full performance level is GS-11, with selection 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; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for this master’s degree requirement.
• State license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. The requirement may be waived at GS-9 for otherwise qualified candidates pending completion of state prerequisites; GS-11 candidates must be licensed or certified.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9: demonstrate ability to counsel veterans and families from diverse backgrounds; assess psychosocial functioning and needs; formulate and implement treatment plans; use supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques; establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication; and demonstrate fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• 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 one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• For GS-11: demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions with diverse individuals; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans; skill in independently implementing treatment modalities; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation or examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination program participation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license and obtain medical clearance from Employee Occupational Health; the position requires operating a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle.
• Meet the stated physical requirements: lift and carry light objects under 15 pounds using two hands, walk for up to two hours, and have rapid mental and muscular coordination, correctable vision, hearing with or without aid, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and emotional and mental stability.

Responsibilities

• Complete psychosocial assessments and consult with patients and families about recommended discharge planning, including home care services, acute inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, or hospice.
• Provide information and counseling about advance directives, and assist veterans with completing or updating them.
• Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team to discuss patients’ medical conditions, treatment courses, approximate lengths of stay, and discharge-level-of-care needs.
• Use knowledge of community resources and programs, including PASSPORT, Meals on Wheels, skilled nursing facilities, preadmission review and level-of-care screenings, guardianship services, and Adult Protective Services.
• Coordinate community-based services and provide information and referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies.
• Maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families, recognizing strengths, weaknesses, and family dynamics that may affect care or discharge planning.
• Provide coverage for assigned medicine and hospitalist teams and assist with coverage for other Medicine Service Social Workers during absences.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and agency information.
• Selected applicants may request consideration of prior work or military service for annual leave accrual credit, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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