Social Worker Job at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Dakota Dunes

Overview

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This position is responsible for assessment, planning, and provision of case management services in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC). This Social Worker coordinates a variety of activities including outreach, interdisciplinary activities, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, consultation/education to staff and community based service providers. This position collaborates with applicable VA service lines and/or services for Community Nursing Home authorizations.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent conducts psychosocial assessments.
• The incumbent conducts interviews or observes the patient to assess emotional, functional or psychological condition.
• The incumbent employs professional processes in using interview, observation, personal histories.
• The incumbent develops treatment interventions including but not exclusively, crisis intervention, social work case management, education on Advance Directives, grief counseling, guidance, advocacy, supportive counseling, recovery focused counseling and other treatment approaches that may be necessary. He/she utilizes knowledge of family dynamics, developmental theory and interpersonal relationships and system approach to care.
• The incumbent coordinates community-based services. Information, referral, and linkage services for both veteran and family members are provided, including VA resources and benefits and non-VA resources and benefits.
• The incumbent identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services as appropriate.
• The incumbent screens and coordinates referrals to the Community nursing home program.
• The incumbent collaborates with applicable VA service lines and/or services for authorizations, durable medical equipment, rehabilitative requirements, authorizations, and fiscal management of the program.
• The incumbent acts as liaison and coordinator for specialty care requests for Veterans within community nursing home program.
• The incumbent participates in interdisciplinary team to ensure Veterans care needs are met and continue to require nursing home level of care.
• The incumbent participates in discharge planning for Veterans as needed.
• The incumbent networks with local, state and federal regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with quality of care standards and VA regulations.
• The incumbent participates in local, national and VISN calls for programs assigned.
• The incumbent oversees placement of Veterans in the CNH and complete required routine visits.
• The incumbent provides outreach and education to grow referral sources for community adult day health care agencies and community nursing homes.
• The incumbent evaluates patient safety events and report those events into patient safety reporting systems and communicates those events to the coordinator.
• The incumbent provides crisis intervention for veterans in financial crisis, emotional crisis due to physical or psychiatric conditions, and crises necessitated by a marked change in lifestyle, changes in functioning or environment or social situations. In providing crisis intervention services, the incumbent seeks to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint.
• The incumbent coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members as well as treatment planning and transitional planning for veterans while including the treatment/clinical team and family members as indicated/appropriate.
• The incumbent establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. Incumbent is able to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Compensation and Benefits

• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (includes annual leave, sick leave, and holidays)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible for childcare subsidy
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension and federal 401K with employer contributions
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process; acceptable form(s) of identification required for I-9 processing. Effective May 7, 2025, REAL ID required for identification.
• Must pass pre-employment driving physical examination and have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
  • Education: Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work (CSWE). Doctoral degree cannot substitute for master’s degree.
  • Licensure: Must be licensed/certified to independently practice social work at the master’s level; exceptions exist for certain grades as described in the vacancy notice.
  • Physical Requirements; English Language Proficiency; and other standard requirements as listed.
• Grade Determinations:
  • Social Worker, GS-9: Basic requirements plus KSAs including counseling, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, and knowledge of medical/mental health conditions.
  • Social Worker, GS-11: Requires post-MSW experience and independent licensure; Doctoral degree can substitute for one year experience; additional KSAs for advanced practice.
• Preferred Experience: Home Health Experience preferred

Additional Information

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement and screening may begin before the announcement closes; first screenings start August 28, 2025.
• Education transcript must be submitted with your application; foreign education requires evaluation per VA guidance.
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network promotes a Whole Health System of care.