Duties
The Inpatient Med/Surg Social Worker assigned to inpatient medicine/surgery will provide medical, social work intervention services to Veterans, family members and caregivers. The Inpatient Med/Surg Social Worker provides medical and behavioral social work services for Veterans admitted inpatient. Services often involve care coordination and consultation with medical, nursing, and social work staff in other care areas to which Veterans are referred, consulted, and/or also treated and/or also co-managed. Examples include, but are not limited to primary care, mental health, homeless services, specialty medicine, neurology, operative care, or acute care. The incumbent works closely with members of associated inpatient and outpatient interdisciplinary treatment teams. The incumbent assesses and provides appropriate social work care treatment options, interventions, discharge, and placement options. The incumbent providers assessment, evaluation, treatment, and reporting for cases of suspected or reported abuse, neglect or financial exploitation which present or are identified.
The incumbent conductus psychosocial screens and/or assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. The purpose of the assessment is to understand the Veterans; situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veterans level of functioning and health as part of a comprehensive assessment that highlights Veterans strengths, limitations, high risk factors, acuity level and internal/external support and service needs to optimize the Veterans functional status. The incumbent completes behavioral health clinical reminders for patients. The incumbent conducts clinical reminders during clinic visits and, as needed, by telephone. The incumbent promotes patient, family, and team interactions and problem solving by actively participating in interdisciplinary meetings to facilitate collaboration and the achievement of identified goals; acts as a consultant to other members of the interdisciplinary team in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care; collaborates to develop and implement programs (e.g. high risk registry) to improve the care of patients with complex physical and behavioral problems.
The incumbent screens patients for alternate level of care options and provides education to patients, caregivers, and staff on those options for care. The incumbent facilitates discharge planning for patients, ensures that all patients that are not assigned to a PACT are provided education as to that process, The incumbent collaborates with social work, Rehab and Long- Term Care, Primary Care, and nursing service to facilitate acute rehabilitation admission, transfer to a skilled nursing facility, initiation or resumption of skilled or nonskilled homemaker/home health services, respite, and/or referral to other VA and/or community programs. The incumbent reviews options and services with patients and families, including costs, alternatives, risks, and benefits.
The incumbent will educate the Veteran, family, and the team of all the available options and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on preferred options. The incumbent works closely with Veterans to identify and support their preferences in the care and personal treatment goals, and offers resources and support tailored to the uniquely expressed needs and desires of the Veteran, The incumbent serves as the key link for education and psychosocial support.
The incumbent coordinates appropriate after-care and needed follow-up services following a Veteran's treatment, The incumbent coordinates with interdisciplinary team members the Veteran and caregivers to proactively address discharge and after-care needs, to include, but not limited to home care services supplies, equipment, medications, and related patient care needs and services.
The incumbent provides health and psychosocial education services to the Veteran, family, and/or caregivers. Education services include, but are not limited to disease education, health promotion and sell-care interventions, VA and community resources, benefits and entitlements and Advance Health Care planning (Advance Directive, Living Wills, Power of Attorney for Health Care and related documents such as financial power of attorney).
Additional Duties as Assigned: The incumbent accepts additional and special assignments that are related to specialty area (emergency department), program goals, social work service initiatives and for service of the medical center.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or negotiated with supervisor
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 554-53518-A 554-53519-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 05/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12729380.
- 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.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.