Social Worker - Mental Health

Clarification from the agency

First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current permanent Dayton Medical Center employees. Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees. Third Area of Consideration - Other current permanent federal employees. Final Area of Consideration - All US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Social Worker is assigned to the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, providing entry-level, evidence-based therapeutic services and case management to Veterans with mental illness and substance use disorders. Works with an interdisciplinary team and coordinates care to address Veterans' biological, psychological, and social needs. Requires initiative, ability to prioritize, and current BLS certification.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Functions:

• Assess and treat psychosocial problems of Veterans with mental health diagnoses and conditions.
• Implement treatment modalities, providing counseling and psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups.
• Conduct bio-psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans collaboratively with Veterans, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide psychosocial interventions; measure outcomes to interventions.
• Coordinate community-based services, including referrals to VA programs, government, or community agencies.
• Participate in patient scheduling, triaging, and monitoring patient flow in the Mental Health Clinic and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).
• Recognize and respond effectively to emergencies, including crisis intervention and assistance with admissions to acute psychiatric care.
• Maintain working knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications and side effects, and medical terminology.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families; manage complex psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Utilize individual, group, and family counseling and therapy skills.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary care planning conferences and team meetings/huddles.
• Possess knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services, including compensation and pension programs.
• Facilitate referrals based on Veterans' needs and eligibility.
• Provide consultation services to staff on Veterans' psychosocial needs and impact on healthcare adherence.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with individuals from varied backgrounds.
• Maintain current BLS certification.

Administrative Functions:

• Support the mission, policies, and procedures of VA, VHA, VISN, and facility.
• Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at facility, VISN, and VA Central Office levels.
• Keep supervisor informed of problems and recommended solutions within area of responsibility.
• Further own professional growth through relevant education and provide coverage during social worker absences.
• Maintain productivity and quality standards consistent with facility and Social Work standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, facility, and Social Work meetings.
• Share knowledge and experiences relevant to the field of Social Work through clinical practice and education.
• Comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and safety policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Lacey Adkins @Lacey.Adkins@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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)
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91979A, 91980A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants 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 Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: 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. 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: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
• A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
• Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker.

Grade Determinations:

Social Worker, GS-9
Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.

Social Worker GS-11
Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.

OR

Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.(d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.(e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting, requiring active listening, reading, writing reports and clinical notes, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior. The role involves regular use of office equipment including computers, telephones, fax machines, and photocopiers. Duties require visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity. Occasional exposure to verbally or physically disruptive patients secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders may occur. The incumbent must demonstrate maturity, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to adapt to stressful situations or shifting priorities based on patient needs. Compliance with annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB testing and physical exams, may be necessary as a condition of employment. The position requires effective collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to work independently within established guidelines.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Areas of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current permanent Dayton Medical Center employees.
2. Second Area of Consideration (Agency) - Current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees
3. Third Area of Consideration - Other current permanent federal employees.
4. Final Area of Consideration - All US Citizens

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• ALL APPLICANTS - Online Application: Questionnaire
• ALL APPLICANTS - Resume: For qualification determinations your resume MUST contain the following information: Job Title, Company Name, Duties (be as detailed as possible), Start date and end date (Month and Year for each), Full-time or Part-time status (including hours worked per week). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
• Transcripts: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts. A certificate or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process
• ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES - SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit your most recent SF-50 dated on or after 1/11/2026 showing your eligibility as a Federal employee, series, grade and step is required, do not submit an award SF-50. More than one SF-50 may be required depending on your circumstances. For example, if you are basing your one year of specialized experience on Federal employment you must submit your most recent SF-50 in addition to one of the following: within grade increase at the highest grade held, promotion with an effective date more than one year old or SF-50 at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. SF-50s for each Federal position held showing length of experience should be submitted if you are requesting credit for that time.

• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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)
• Full resume/CV (may be uploaded without page limitation)
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps