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.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Social Worker GS-0185-09 The incumbent serves as a Social Worker in the Mental Health Service. Duties include data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measures. The incumbent also develops working relationships with other organizations in the community.
Provides counseling to patients, caregivers, family members, and/or significant others to assist them with coping with psychosocial stress related to illness and other life stressors. Delivers clinical and therapeutic interventions, including individual and family counseling.
Develops psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the veteran and their family or significant others in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on psychosocial assessments and treatment goals. Makes initial and ongoing decisions coordinating the veteran's care through linking and referral to VA medical facilities, Regional Offices, and other VA and non-VA services.
Provides consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team regarding appropriate courses of action. Social Worker GS-0185-11 A. Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments: Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact on functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.
Interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. Reviews and evaluates data, subjective and objective, to identify needs and strengths, using advanced clinical skill and insight. B. Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses: Independently evaluates the client's situation and response to stressors, and arrives at reasoned conclusions.
Uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make psychosocial diagnoses and assess at-risk factors, developing preliminary disposition plans with the Veteran and significant others. Performs insightful assessments of serious and complicated cases, including those involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses.
Makes independent professional recommendations for agency action, recognizing the serious consequences to the Veteran. C. Plans Effective Treatment: Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and sets clinical goals. Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA resources and referrals, based on initial assessment and likelihood of acceptance.
Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team regarding courses of treatment. Coordinates screening of patients for specific mental health programs and provides ongoing treatment per guidelines. Makes decisions that may have significant impact on the Veteran's life, such as long-term placement or separation from family, drawing on advanced practice skills and professional judgment. D.
Implements Treatment: Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/significant others in support of treatment. Offers advice, guidance, emotional support, and counseling services, including psychotherapy when appropriate. Assists Veterans in problem-solving, evaluates situations realistically, explores alternatives, and utilizes resources for resolution. Organizes community services and develops/coordinates procedures for use by related staff.
Maintains a productive network of referral resources and makes provisions for additional services. Applies professional judgment and advanced practice skills in daily interactions with Veterans, particularly those with complex situations and histories of noncompliance. E. Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring Establishes ongoing relationships with Veterans, evaluates progress, and updates treatment plans.
Documents psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow-up, and referral in the medical record (paper/electronic). Explains treatment and progress to stakeholders as appropriate. Manages quality control and evaluates the effectiveness of services provided. Devises methods and evaluates data to determine treatment effectiveness.
Directs and coordinates clinical and psychosocial services, ensuring overall effectiveness and modifying services to best meet Veterans' needs. Coordinates Social Work services with other treatment program offerings to ensure complementarity and comprehensiveness. Provides case management services to Veterans at high social or medical risk, serving as liaison to other programs.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Bargaining Unit: Yes Telework: Adhoc Telework Only as Needed.
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/.
JEROME.EDMONDS@VA.GOV · (573)778-4782
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $67807 – $106658/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-08.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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