This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
The Senior Social Worker (Hospice and Palliative Care) position is in the Geriatrics & Extended Care Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Augusta, ME location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. Provides Social Work services to the Veteran population on the inpatient Hospice unit, and to patients being followed on an outpatient basis by the Palliative Care team.
Must have at least two years of experience post obtaining advanced practice clinical licensure and should have specialized experience of social work practice within a hospice and/or palliative care clinical setting.
Have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, is able to be a resource to clinical staff throughout the organization, and is able to provide training and education to Fellows and other trainees on variety of topics related to psychosocial issues in palliative medicine and end of life care. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assessing the patient's understanding of his/her diagnosis and proposed treatments.
Helping the Veteran cope with end-of-life or complex chronic illness diagnoses and the many emotions that arise. Education/instruction regarding self-relaxation and other coping strategies. Assessing treatment options when considering work, family and the Veteran's other obligations. Interagency collaboration when the Veteran's care involves multiple entities. Providing education related to the patient's VA, Social Security and disability benefits.
Providing referrals and linkage to community agencies with specialized benefits. Counseling individuals, couples and families regarding referrals to specialized mental health providers. Linkage to appropriate support groups and educational programs. Facilitating communication between the treatment team, Veteran and family, including advocacy. Facilitating family discussions regarding illness, healthcare and life changes.
Supporting end-of-life planning/care preferences through assistance with Advanced Directives for Healthcare as well as discussions about patient values and preferences related to Life Sustaining Treatments. Discharge planning; inpatient and outpatient placements into residential care facilities, subacute skilled nursing facilities and adult day healthcare programs.
Addressing the impact of end-of-life and/or chronic illness on life issues (intimacy, body image, living with chronic illness with the uncertainty of life expectancy, etc.). Referral to and coordination of hospice care services including facilitation with Non-VA Care Coordination. Advocating for home health or hospice care when requested by the Veteran. Coordinating bereavement support services with VA Maine chaplain services and/or community hospice agencies.
Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Functional Statement #: F02738 Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is not in a Bargaining Unit. This position is covered by a special salary rate.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF50's will be accepted.
Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
Preferred Experience: Experience providing specialized social work services in hospice and/or palliative care settings, including management of complex physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs for Veterans with advanced progressive or terminal illnesses.
Demonstrated competency in completing comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, including DSM 5 multi axial diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, and ongoing case management for patients and families facing end of life issues.
Experience collaborating within interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary care teams, including physicians, APRNs, nurses, psychologists, chaplains, and community agencies to coordinate care, facilitate goals of care discussions, and support communication among team members, Veterans, and families.
Knowledge and application of community resources, VA benefits, Social Security, disability programs, and specialized hospice-related services, with proven ability to provide timely referrals, linkage, and advocacy for Veterans and caregivers. Experience providing counseling and support to individuals, couples, and families, addressing anticipatory grief, bereavement needs, coping strategies, caregiver stress, and the emotional impact of chronic or terminal illness.
Expertise in discharge planning and care coordination, including placement in skilled nursing facilities, residential care programs, adult day health programs, and coordination with Non-VA care partners for hospice or home based services. Experience delivering education and training to clinical staff, Fellows, and trainees, including teaching psychosocial topics related to palliative medicine, end of life ethics, grief and loss, and community resource navigation.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability to move around the office and facility. The work is performed in offices and meeting rooms and is largely sedentary. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations.
The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The work can be mentally and emotionally demanding and stressful, and the ability to utilize effective coping and self-care strategies is essential 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
donna.davies@va.gov · (603) 624-4366 X205077
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $93797 – $121939/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-11-06.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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