Social Worker (Palliative Care)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 62,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Childcare subsidy

Federal pension

Health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Palliative Care Social Worker for the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis.

The role provides specialized clinical social work to Veterans and families via consults and referrals to the Palliative Care Consult Program. Responsibilities include conducting assessments with the care team, developing treatment plans, coordinating referrals to VA and community resources, and advocating for Veterans’ access to care.

Qualifications

• Education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions; if using foreign education, a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency must be submitted with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Screening/Assessment: develop a Veteran's assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary palliative care team, the Veteran, family members and others.
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting: work with the interdisciplinary team to develop personalized palliative care plans and specific goals.
• Ongoing goal setting and treatment planning adjusted to changes in the patient’s condition.
• Referral to VA and community resources for palliative care and hospice services.
• Resource usage/development: monitor resource availability and identify unmet needs affecting Veterans’ psychosocial functioning.
• Communicate with stakeholders to encourage new resource development.
• Advocate for Veterans to ensure access to needed care and resources within VA and the community.
• Assist Veterans through enrollment procedures and complex decisions to achieve the best outcomes.
• Crisis Intervention: assess and intervene in crises and develop safety plans.
• Education/Health promotion: provide education on resources, directives and guardianship as appropriate; refer to team members.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Palliative Care Social Worker is based in Social Work Specialty Care and Lodging Programs to provide specialized clinical social work services to Veterans and families receiving services/care via consult and referral to the Palliative Care Consult Program at the Roudebush VA Medical Center.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but not limited to: Screening/Assessment - The Palliative Care Social Worker will develop an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the Palliative Care interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Palliative Care Social Worker is responsible for collaborating with the interdisciplinary palliative care team in developing personalized treatment plans and setting achievable and specific palliative care goals.

Ongoing goal setting and treatment planning will be completed specific to changes in the patient's condition/plans.

Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups), especially related to palliative care and hospice.

Resource Usage/Development - As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community, the Palliative Care Social Worker will monitor patterns of resource availability for palliative care Veterans, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's psychosocial functioning.

The Palliative Care Social Worker will communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., Social Work Chief, the Social Work Practice Council, other VA programs, community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources. Advocacy - The Palliative Care Social Worker will advocate for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community.

By availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the Veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the Palliative Care Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran.

Crisis Intervention - The Palliative Care Social Worker will assess and intervene in any medical or psychiatric crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises.

Education/Health promotion and prevention - The Palliative Care Social Worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and/or guardianship (when appropriate) and refers Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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 eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93544-0 / 93545-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $62297 – $97991/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-17.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.