U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring: Social Worker in Tullahoma

Overview

Join to apply for the Social Worker role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: Incumbent is a professional social worker assigned to the TVHS Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program. The Social Worker (HBPC) eliminates barriers to care through assisting Veterans and their families with a variety of needs related to resolving psychosocial, emotional, and economic barriers to health and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Independently work with veterans, their families and caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.
• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and collaborate with veterans, their families and caregivers as well as interdisciplinary team members in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions.
• Independently complete thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans, their families and caregivers.
• Utilize assessments in treatment planning with the goal of attaining the highest level of independence and benefit that is possible and practical.
• Possess a working knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• Facilitate action for community placements through collaboration with veterans, their families and caregivers as well as interdisciplinary team members to ensure appropriate community placements are completed in a timely manner.
• Provide education and assistance with advance care directives in both individual and group settings.
• Refer veterans to VA programs (e.g., Homemaker I, Home Health Aide, Veterans Directed, Medical Foster Home, Community Residential Care, Community Nursing Home) and use assessments, forms, and processes needed to facilitate placement.
• Provide telehealth services.
• Knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies.
• Serve as a liaison between veterans, their families and caregivers and VA and community resources to ensure thorough delivery of social work services.
• Independently implement interventions across individual, family, group, and educational modalities.

Work Schedule

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

Benefits and Conditions

• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days per year (13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays). Credit toward annual leave accrual may be available based on prior experience.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days, eligible for subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to $416.66/month (income threshold applies).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care.
• Telework: Ad-Hoc
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 71230-F
• PCS: Not authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Urinalysis for illegal drug use may be required prior to appointment; refusal may result in denial of employment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Trial period may be required.
• Background/security investigation required.
• Online onboarding process; acceptable ID documents per I-9 requirements. REAL ID compliance may affect acceptable identification after May 7, 2025.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel.

Qualifications

• Education: Must have a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school. Doctoral degree may not substitute for the MSW. Verification available at CSWE site.
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Experience and Licensure: GS-11 requires at least one year of post-MSW experience at the GS-9 level and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
• Education details: Doctoral degree may substitute for the required one year of professional experience in clinical settings.
• KSAs: Knowledge of community resources; ability to conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and terminology; ability to implement modalities with individuals, families, and groups; ability to provide consultation to new staff.

Reference: VA Qualification Standards; full performance level GS-11. Note: Education and experience requirements are as stated in the job posting.

Other

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. If you cannot apply online, contact the agency for alternate submission methods. This is not a virtual position.