Social Worker - Mental Health

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Dubuque, IA seeks a Social Worker to conduct psychosocial assessments, provide counseling, and coordinate care with veterans and their families.

The role requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and current licensure to practice social work. English proficiency is essential, and EDRP eligibility is noted. On-site work with potential ad-hoc telework considerations per policy.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work from CSWE-accredited program.
• Licensure/certification as a social worker at the master's level is required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for Veterans and families.
• Collaborate in treatment planning with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Provide individual and family counseling and referrals.
• Coordinate with community resources and VA benefits.
• Maintain and document psychosocial interventions in patient records.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Counseling

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Education

MSW 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—including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years)—is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

• Applicants pending 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 – a master’s degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited.
• A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master’s degree.
• Verification of the degree can be made by visiting http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to confirm accreditation standards for a master of social work.
• Licensure – persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to practice social work independently at the master’s level.
• Current state requirements may be found at http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
• VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensing examinations (applies only at the GS‑9 grade level). For the GS‑11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified.
• At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with written requirements for licensure or certification, including the deadline and consequences of non‑compliance.
• Failure to obtain license or certification within the prescribed time (3 years) may result in removal from the GS‑0185 series and possible termination.
• Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, unrestricted license or certification to remain qualified; loss may result in removal or termination.
• English language proficiency is required; candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) and may qualify under the Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees.
• Grade determination for Social Worker – GS‑9 is based on experience, education, and licensure.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
  • Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members—and to formulate and implement a treatment plan—identifying the Veterans' problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
  • Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals.
  • This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
  • Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
  • This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses and injuries.
  • Common medications and their effects/side effects.
  • Medical terminology.
  • Knowledge of community resources—how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services—and ability to coordinate services.
  • Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for a wide variety of individuals from various socio‑economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.
  • Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
  • Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
  • Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to understand the needs of veterans, their families, and caregivers.
• Active engagement in the treatment planning process alongside other disciplines, ensuring patients' and families' psychosocial needs are carefully considered.
• Employ a comprehensive understanding of diverse human backgrounds, adept counseling skills, and collaborative treatment plan implementation.
• Provide individual and family counseling, helping patients and families cope with disability, terminal illness, and death.
• Offer consultation and education to veterans and families on community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
• Act as a consultant to team members, providing valuable insights and guidance.
• Serve as a liaison between the VA and community resources, including occasional marketing and public‑relations duties when needed.
• Provide case‑management services throughout the continuum of care, ensuring veterans and families receive support at every stage.
• Deliver wellness and prevention education.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer software applications for documentation, data management, and tracking within the Veterans Health Administration framework.
• Maintain data and statistical reports to comply with JCAHO, VA, and Medical Center policies.
• Document social‑work interventions and activities in patient clinical records to ensure a smooth hand‑off when transferring patient care.
• Utilize exceptional interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, families, and community agencies.
• Possess in‑depth knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures—including acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, common medications, and related side effects.
• Engage in continuous professional growth, including active participation in professional peer reviews and case conferences.
• Contribute to the well‑being and quality of life for veterans and their families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm. EDRP designation: former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact [e-mail] for questions or assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases; a higher step rate may be determined for unique qualifications or special needs.
• Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave based on prior work or military service experience.
• Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for 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 up to 25% subsidy (maximum $416.66 per month).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Telework: Ad‑hoc may be available; this position is not virtual.
• Functional Statement #: 000000.