Social Worker - Inpatient Medicine

Join the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Social Worker, providing essential psychosocial care to our nation's Veterans and their families. We are seeking dedicated professionals at the GS-9 and GS-11 levels.

• *Basic Requirements for All Social Workers:**
• **Citizenship:** United States Citizenship.
• **Language:** Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• **Education:** Master's degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited school. A doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's.
• **Licensure:** State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level is required.

* *GS-9 Exception:* Licensure may be waived for qualified individuals, but must be obtained within three years of appointment.

• *Responsibilities & Qualifications by Grade Level:**
• *GS-9 Social Worker:**
• Utilize counseling skills to work with diverse Veterans and their families.
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs, formulating and implementing comprehensive treatment plans.
• Implement various treatment modalities (individual, family, group) using supportive, problem-solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and community agencies.
• Possess fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications, and medical terminology.
• *GS-11 Social Worker:**
• Requires a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 level (e.g., clinical assessments, psychosocial services including individual, family, and group psychotherapy) in a healthcare or social work setting, and independent practice level licensure/certification.
• *Alternatively:* A doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required one year of post-MSW experience.
• **Additional Expertise:**

* Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, referral processes, and service coordination. * Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for diverse individuals. * Comprehensive knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures for formulating effective plans. * Skill in independently implementing diverse treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups experiencing various psychiatric, medical, and social problems. * Ability to provide consultation to new social workers, graduate students, and staff on patient psychosocial needs and their impact on health care and treatment compliance.

• *Physical Requirements:**

This role is primarily sedentary, involving tasks like sitting, standing, walking, and using standard office equipment. Some light lifting and occasional travel may be required. The position demands strong active listening, observation, and communication skills to navigate potentially stressful and emotionally demanding interactions with Veterans and their families.