Social Worker Job at Tucson VA Medical Center (DOVA) in Tucson

Overview

This position is open to the public with duties as described below. This position is located in Tucson, AZ. Salary: $67,867 to $106,740 per year. Pay scale & grade: GS 9 – 11. Location: Tucson, AZ. 1 vacancy. Remote job: No. Telework eligible: No. Travel Required: Not required. Relocation expenses reimbursed: No. Appointment type: Permanent. Work schedule: Full-time. Service: Excepted. Promotion potential: 11. Job family (Series): 0185 Social Work. Supervisory status: No. Security clearance: Other. Drug test: No. Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk. Credentialing and Suitability: Credentialing and Suitability/Fitness required. Financial disclosure: No. Bargaining unit status: No. Announcement number: CBSX-12801312-25-FO. Control number: 846968600.

EDRP eligible: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• Provides clinical duties to include a full range of social work within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes comprehensive biopsychosocial spiritual assessments, social determinants of health screenings, Advance Directives, Goals of Care, case management, crisis intervention, risk/suicide assessments, documentation, safety planning, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, psychoeducation, discharge, and other services as appropriate.
• Assess and report any patient safety concerns in a timely manner to appropriate entities to include suicide safety planning and abuse/neglect reporting. Implements timely, safe, and clinically appropriate discharge care planning through methods of casework, referrals, collaboration with the patient and/or their decision maker, their multidisciplinary team and/or other modes of intervention consistent with their Scope of Practice.
• Facilitate patient’s self-determination and self-management through tenants of advocacy, shared and informed decision making, counseling, and health education, whenever possible and arranges discharge home, or to necessary placements and engages other VHA and community services as needed and ensures that adequate follow-up care has been brokered, when appropriate.
• Provides education related to coping with health conditions, VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives and Life Sustaining Treatment options, guardianship, insurance, and co-pay(s) information, etc., and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate VA staff, programs, and community resources.
• Implement evidence-base care guidelines in the care of the patient, as available and applicable to the practice setting and/or patient population served. Incumbent uses social work models of intervention appropriate to the unique needs of each patient and maintain competence in case management and health and human service delivery.
• Provides consultation, training, and education to VA staff on the role of social work, social work practices, psychosocial resources at the VA and in the community, and research pertaining to their scope of practice.
• Serve the Medical Center and social work profession in a variety of capacities, such as committee, unit councils, workgroups, special assignments, or other duties as assigned that are necessary to meet program goals and VA Mission.

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

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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. Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school. Doctoral degree does not substitute for MSW.
• Licensure. Must have state license/certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Exception – For GS-9, licensure may be waived pending completion of prerequisites; must become licensed within three years of appointment.

May qualify based on Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees.

Grade Determinations:

GS-09 Experience: None beyond basic requirements. KSAs include ability to work with Veterans and families, assess psychosocial functioning, implement treatment modalities, maintain relationships, and knowledge of medical/mental health terminology.

GS-11 Experience/Education: At least one year post-MSW at GS-9 level or Doctoral degree. KSAs include community referrals, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, independent treatment modalities, and consultation for new staff.

Preferred Experience: over 2 years of Medical Social Work in an Acute Care Setting.

Education: Transcript must be submitted if using education to qualify.

Note: Education must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

Education

Important: Transcript must be submitted with application if using education. Only education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education can be used for qualification.

Additional information

Explicit information about service credit for annual leave, applying process, influenza vaccination requirement for HCP, and other agency policies are included in this section as provided in the original text. It is important to review all sections of the vacancy for full details.

Required documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: Download the standard Clinical Resume Document and upload as required. Full resume can be uploaded in the Other documents field. Include any of the following as applicable: Cover Letter, DD-214, Disability Letter, License, SF-50, Transcript.

Education and application notes

If using education, ensure accreditation by recognized institutions. Provide only accredited education. Not providing all required information may affect eligibility.

How to Apply

1. All applicants should apply online. Complete the full questionnaire and submit required documents by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/07/2025. Preview the questionnaire at the provided URL.
2. Click Apply Online, upload resume and supporting documents, and complete the occupational questionnaire.

NOTE: Submit responses and documentation before the closing date.

Agency contact information

Francisco Olmedo

Phone: 562-256-2012

Email: francisco.olmedo@va.gov

Address: Tucson VA Medical Center, 3601 South Sixth Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85723, US

Next steps

After submission, you will receive an email confirmation. Applications will be reviewed for qualification and eligibility. Referred applicants may be contacted for interviews. Status updates will be provided by email. You may check status via USAJobs.

The influenza vaccination is a condition of employment for all HCP. Details about requirements and exemptions are provided in the announcement. This position is not virtual.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on position type and work schedule. Contact the hiring agency for specifics.