Senior Social Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (37–50 days/year)

Federal health/vision/dental

Retirement/pension and 401K

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Augusta, GA seeks a Senior Social Worker to provide expert mental health services within primary care. You will conduct assessments, deliver brief evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes independence, professional development, and culturally sensitive, age-appropriate care. Must hold an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and be licensed at the advanced practice level.

Qualifications

• Must have MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Must be licensed at the advanced practice level.
• Two years post-licensure experience at the advanced practice level.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert mental health services within primary care; conduct assessments and crisis management.
• Collaborate with teams; coordinate care; ensure Veterans' access to services and policy compliance.
• Develop and update treatment plans; maintain clinical documentation and program procedures in VA standards.
• Deliver crisis intervention, including suicide risk assessment and safety planning.
• Coordinate care across primary care, mental health, social work, and community services; ensure timely referrals.

Skills

Advanced clinical practice

Clinical judgment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Crisis intervention

Evidence-based therapy

Education

Master's degree in Social Work (CSWE-accredited)

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
• Doctoral degree cannot substitute for the MSW
• Schools in "candidacy status" do not qualify until fully accredited
• Grandfathering Provision: Employees who met qualifications when appointed are considered qualified for current grade and series
• Those grandfathered may not be promoted above journey level or hold supervisory roles unless fully meeting current qualifications
• Loss of grandfathered status occurs if leaving the occupation
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Experience/Education Must have at least two years of post-licensure experience at the advanced practice level
• At least one year equivalent to the GS-11 level - demonstrating advanced practice skills - clinical judgment - and expertise in a specialized area
• May possess post-master's certification or advanced training from a nationally recognized organization or university
• Licensure Must be licensed at the advanced practice level - requiring an advanced generalist or clinical exam (state-specific variations apply
• California administers its own clinical exam)
• Must be able to provide clinical supervision for licensure
• Demonstrated KSAs Candidates must demonstrate: Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in complex or specialty programs
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment
• Knowledge in designing and implementing methods to evaluate specialty practice effectiveness
• Ability to provide advanced consultation and role-model effective practice
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and develop policies - procedures - and practice guidelines
• Preferred Experience: Prefer experience working in interdisciplinary teams - brief evidence-based interventions - and brief/focused assessments
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Must meet standards in VA Directive/Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Senior Social Worker in VA Augusta provides expert mental health services within primary care - conducting assessments - brief interventions - and crisis management
• They collaborate with teams - coordinate care - and support Veterans' access to services - ensuring compliance with policies - privacy - and safety standards
• The role emphasizes independence - professional development - and culturally sensitive - age-appropriate care
• Duties include - however - not limited to: Conducts independent diagnostic - psychosocial - and behavioral health assessments to identify Veteran needs and guide treatment planning
• Provides brief - evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to support behavioral medicine and mental health concerns in primary care or specialty settings
• Delivers consultation and guidance to interdisciplinary providers - supporting clinical decision-making - care coordination - and Veteran engagement
• Coordinates care across primary care - mental health - social work - community programs - and specialty services - ensuring timely referrals - follow-up - and smooth transitions of care
• Develops - implements - and updates treatment plans - clinical documentation - and program-related operational procedures consistent with VA standards and performance measures
• Performs crisis intervention - including suicide risk assessment - stabilization - safety planning - and determining urgent escalation needs
• Participates in program development - evaluation - and quality improvement initiatives - contributing to data-driven enhancements in service delivery
• Provides education and resource navigation for Veterans and families - helping them access VA and community supports and reduce barriers to care
• Collaborates in team meetings - interdisciplinary case reviews - and coordinated care planning - promoting Veteran-centered integrated services
• Maintains compliance with documentation - privacy standards - VA policies - and regulatory requirements - ensuring quality and safety in clinical practice
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Lakita Bush @ [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 62753F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized