Job Details

Senior Social Worker (PACT)Location: White City, OregonPosted: 29-May-26Category: Mental Health/Social ServicesSummaryThis 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.QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when a qualified citizen cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.EducationHave a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited.A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree.Verification of the degree can be made by checking hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to practice social work at the master's level.Current state requirements may be found at Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees).Grade DeterminationsSenior Social Worker – GS‑12 experience/education.The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which one year must be equivalent to the GS‑11 grade level.Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment.Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice.Senior social workers may have certification or other post‑masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and supervised professional experience in a specialty.Licensure/CertificationSenior social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, which includes an advanced generalist or clinical examination, except for California, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities(a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations.(b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.(c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area.(d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area.(e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.Preferred ExperienceMedical Social Work experience in an outpatient healthcare setting.ReferenceFor more information on this qualification standard, please visit RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services.DutiesThe incumbent is a professional Social Worker assigned to the PACT.The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans and their families/significant others.Social work responsibilities include the assessment of psychosocial problems that cause distress and may impact health conditions and create barriers to care.These stressors can include adjustment to the current medical condition; untreated or under‑treated mental health or substance abuse condition; economic instability; legal problems; and inadequate housing and/or transportation.Referrals typically originate from any member of the interdisciplinary Primary Care Team, including MHRRTP Admissions, Veterans, and/or their families who call or walk in for assistance.The incumbent must complete thorough assessments to determine the underlying causes of the presenting problem(s), the interpersonal and environmental factors impacting the problem, and its affect on the patient's ability and desire to comply with the treatment recommendations by the multidisciplinary team.Incumbent will help the patient and family to understand the contributing factors to the problem, discuss with them the pros and cons of possible short‑term and long‑term solutions, and encourage them to make positive and lasting changes to reduce stressors.Incumbent will coordinate with VA staff and community agencies to assist in problem solving as needed.Case management, along with members of the outpatient interdisciplinary team, is provided to coordinate a collaborative effort to meet the agreed‑upon goals for a Veteran's treatment needs and include liaison with community professionals regarding needed services for Veterans and/or their families.Services include, but are not limited to, interventions to increase access to care, including transportation assistance and Advance Directives; economic assistance; assistance with medical bills, financial aid services and strategies to increase income or reduce expenses; finding appropriate housing; and ordering necessary services to assist with functional decline.Independently performs case‑finding functions and outreach—identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities—provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups.Independently conducts psychosocial assessments and develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and the interdisciplinary treatment team.Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measure outcomes to interventions.Driving GOV vehicles may be required to attend community meetings/outreach events; a driver's license is required.Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.ContactFor EDRP questions/assistance, contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov.PayCompetitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.Paid Time Off37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year: 13‑26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year.Parental LeaveAfter 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.Child Care SubsidyAfter 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 and Other BenefitsTraditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.Telework: Ad‑Hoc, with authorization from the Service.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.#J-18808-Ljbffr