This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.
Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
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 Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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). 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. Current and former Federal employees may 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.
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 'Public' 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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