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

Overview

The Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center is seeking a Social Worker to serve on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) program area within the Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center.

Responsibilities

• Assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans and their families/significant others.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans in the Primary Care Clinic and/or their families.
• Completes thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families.
• Actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and collaborates with Veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions.
• Understands and uses medical and mental health diagnoses, terminology, disability definitions, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, substance use disorders, and common medications and their effects/side effects.
• Facilitates action for community placements through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure timely completion of appropriate community placements.
• Independently implements treatment modalities, provides educational classes, and/or supportive groups for Veterans and families, including shared medical appointments.
• Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact on health care planning and treatment compliance.
• Provides case management services to Veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care.

Work Schedule and Benefits

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases. Higher steps may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA beyond the minimum rate of the grade.

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 work experience or military service.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible full-time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive a childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement/Insurance: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA. Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance available.

Telework: Ad hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• 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 forms of identification will be required for pre-employment requirements. Effective May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant IDs are required for employment identification.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Applicants pending 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 be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited as per VA policy.
  • English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English.
  • Education: Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
  • Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s level (GS-0185). Some exceptions apply at certain grades per VA policy.
• Experience, education, and licensure requirements vary by grade (GS-9 to GS-11). Details include required KSAs and potential substitutions for education or licensure at higher grades.
• Preferred Experience: At least one year in medical social work.

Education Notes

Note: Education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions. Foreign education may require a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Additional Information

• This job opportunity may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• Excepted Service; not competitive status.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
• If you cannot apply online, contact the Agency.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade may be GS-9 to GS-11.