Social Worker - Inpatient Medicine

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking dedicated Social Workers to provide essential psychosocial services and support to Veterans and their families. This role offers the opportunity to join at various grade levels (GS-9 to GS-11) based on qualifications and experience.

• *Key Responsibilities:**
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify Veteran and family needs, strengths, and challenges.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans using various counseling and intervention techniques (individual, family, group).
• Provide crisis intervention, support, and problem-solving services.
• Collaborate with Veterans, family members, VA staff, and community agencies to coordinate care and resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• *Basic Requirements:**
• **Citizenship:** United States Citizenship required.
• **Language:** Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• **Education:** Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school. A doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's.
• **Licensure:** State licensure or certification for independent social work practice at the master's level is required.

* *GS-9 Exception:* Licensure may be waived initially for qualified GS-9 applicants, with a requirement to obtain independent licensure within three years of appointment. * Applicants pending completion of educational or licensure requirements may be tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.

• *Grade-Specific Qualifications:**
• *GS-9 Social Worker:**
• **Experience:** None beyond basic requirements.
• **Key Skills & Abilities:**

* Counseling Veterans and families from diverse backgrounds. * Assessing psychosocial functioning and developing treatment plans. * Implementing treatment modalities (supportive, problem-solving, crisis intervention). * Establishing effective working relationships with clients and staff. * Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, treatments, and terminology.

• *GS-11 Social Worker:**
• **Experience:** Minimum one year of post-MSW experience (equivalent to GS-9 level) in health care or social work-related settings, *or* a doctoral degree in social work.
• **Licensure:** Must possess independent practice licensure.
• **Key Skills & Abilities (in addition to GS-9):**

* Knowledge of community resources and referral processes. * Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions. * Comprehensive knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses for complex treatment plan formulation. * Skill in independently implementing diverse treatment modalities for varied psychiatric, medical, and social problems. * Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, students, and other staff.

• *Physical Requirements:**

Primarily sedentary work with occasional standing, walking, bending, and carrying light items. Requires active listening, observation, evaluating behavior, and using standard office equipment. Emotional demands can be significant when working with Veterans and their families.