The incumbent functions as a licensed clinical Senior Social Worker in the Acute Mental Health Section. The incumbent is assigned to provide appropriate clinical services including, but not limited to, assessing Veterans for a full spectrum of mental health and substance use disorders, conducting brief screening for such conditions, providing risk assessment and safety planning, and participating in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings to coordinate complex care.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The incumbent will provide advanced clinical social work services to Veterans presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute mental health, substance use, and complex psychosocial needs. Assess Veterans, provide crisis intervention, conduct suicide and violence risk assessments, develop safety plans, and coordinate appropriate treatment and disposition recommendations in collaboration with the team.
The incumbent will participate in ED huddles, interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, and case consultations as appropriate to support coordination of care and continuity of services for Veterans. The incumbent will maintain effective communication with ED providers, psychiatry, nursing, and other clinical disciplines to address Veterans' immediate mental health and psychosocial needs.
The incumbent will adhere to established ED, Mental Health Service, and VHA policies and procedures, ensuring timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with applicable standards. The incumbent will participate in required trainings, quality improvement activities, and clinical reviews as appropriate to maintain professional competencies and support the delivery of high-quality patient care.
The incumbent will maintain responsibility for the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of their own clinical documentation and participate in clinical quality improvement initiatives as appropriate. The incumbent will utilize evidence-based practices, clinical judgment, and established VHA guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and improve outcomes for Veterans receiving emergency mental health services.
The incumbent will collaborate with other disciplines, departments, and services to ensure continuity of care for Veterans served. The incumbent will identify barriers to treatment, address complex psychosocial needs, and coordinate appropriate referrals and follow-up services to support safe discharge planning and continuity of mental health care. The incumbent performs specialized treatment of complex physical and mental health conditions.
The incumbent incorporates multiple contributing factors into the assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The incumbent independently performs case-finding functions, identifies and screens Veterans for psychosocial and mental health needs, and provides appropriate clinical interventions.
The incumbent possesses the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, brief psychotherapy, and other evidence-based interventions for individuals, families, and groups as clinically appropriate.
The incumbent independently conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments and develops individualized treatment and safety plans in collaboration with Veterans, their families, and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The incumbent provides advanced psychosocial interventions, evaluates treatment responses, and adjusts interventions based on clinical presentation and identified needs.
The incumbent coordinates community-based services, including referrals to other VA programs, government agencies, and community organizations. The incumbent assists Veterans with accessing appropriate mental health treatment, substance use services, housing resources, and other supportive services to address psychosocial barriers and promote continuity of care following discharge from the ED.
The incumbent provides clinical consultation and professional input to interdisciplinary team members and colleagues regarding complex psychosocial issues, mental health crises, and appropriate treatment interventions. The incumbent shares specialized clinical knowledge and expertise to support effective patient-centered care and collaborative treatment planning.
The incumbent may provide clinical guidance, education, and mentorship to social work colleagues, trainees, and students within their area of expertise, as appropriate. The incumbent demonstrates advanced clinical practice skills and serves as a professional resource without assuming responsibility for staff supervision, administrative oversight, or management of ED Social Work operations Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 5:00am - 5:30pm, every other Wednesday 5:00am - 1:30pm. (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
James.Bullock@va.gov · (415) 769-1554
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $114695 – $149106/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-23.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-16 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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