Veterans Health Administration
Senior Social Worker BHIP
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Summary
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Must have 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 of social work is fully accredited. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure: Candidates must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Experience: 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 and 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 internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced-level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex, multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge of developing and implementing methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students regarding the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, while modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge within the social work profession and write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Experience providing community-base and/or public mental heath services. Competence using evidence-based treatment models. Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team. Ability to work with Veterans who present with complex psychosocial needs. Experience with crisis management and care coordination. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Performance Level:The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; hearing (aid permitted).
Major Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides advanced clinical social work services within the Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP) as a member of a multidisciplinary mental health team. Conducts comprehensive psychosocial and biopsychosocial assessments of Veterans and their families/significant others, including evaluation of presenting concerns, functioning, strengths, risks, needs, preferences, and available supports. Performs clinical assessments and psychosocial diagnoses for Veterans with complex psychiatric conditions, serious medical illnesses, co-occurring disorders, high-risk diagnoses, and significant psychosocial stressors. Evaluates suicide, violence, abuse, neglect, homelessness, functional impairment, and other high-risk factors; determines acuity, reporting requirements, and appropriate levels of care and intervention. Develops, implements, and independently modifies Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented treatment plans in collaboration with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members. Provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy using evidence-based and best-practice treatment models, along with crisis intervention, triage, case management, supportive counseling, and other behavioral health interventions. Consults with psychiatry, psychology, nursing, medical providers, and other specialists regarding complex cases, co-morbidities, treatment planning, program assignments, and changes in clinical status. Coordinates VA, community care, governmental, and social service resources, including referrals for housing, shelters, transitional programs, institutional or nursing home care, benefits, and other supportive services. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community agencies and partner organizations; establishes referral procedures and sustains a current network of community resources for Veterans and families. Documents assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, progress notes, referrals, consultations, follow-up, and other clinical services accurately and timely in electronic and/or paper medical records. Provides clinical consultation, orientation, training, mentoring, coaching, and supervision to social workers, Social Work Associates, interdisciplinary staff, newly hired employees, and student interns. Serves as a field instructor or preceptor for graduate social work students and collaborates with academic field liaisons to support student learning goals, clinical development, and professional practice. Leads or supports clinical program development, quality improvement, process improvement, peer review, case conferences, research activities, and evaluation of social work practice and patient outcomes. Promotes Social Work Service as an essential component of comprehensive mental health care; maintains professional standards, required licensure, continuing education, and current knowledge of contemporary treatment modalities. Participates in facility committees, work groups, task forces, staff development activities, and other organizational initiatives as assigned by Social Work Service leadership. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad hoc telework per supervisor discretion and VA guidelines. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/23/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086356. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.