Social Worker

About the Role

The Social Worker will provide psychotherapy services at the Lynchburg Community Based Outpatient Clinic within the Salem VA Health Care System, assigned to the Social Work Service. The role requires a high level of independent skill in assessing and treating the complex mental health and psychosocial needs of Veterans referred for mental health services. Responsibilities include completing thorough psychosocial assessments, conducting diagnostic interviews, and providing individual and group psychotherapy.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and diagnostic interviews to determine Veterans’ functioning and needs.
• Develop and contribute to patient‑centered treatment plans and set achievable treatment goals in collaboration with Veterans, family members, and the mental health team.
• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy using supportive, problem‑solving, and crisis‑intervention techniques.
• Coordinate and refer Veterans to appropriate community and governmental resources.
• Maintain communication with supervisors regarding problems and recommended solutions.
• For GS‑11 level: Provide consultation to other treatment‑team members and staff regarding psychosocial needs and their impact on health‑care planning, compliance, and discharge.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement. A doctoral degree in Social Work does not substitute for the required master’s degree.

Licensure: State license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level. Current state requirements are available through VA resources. Grandfathering provisions may apply to current VHA employees who meet the criteria.

Experience:

• GS‑9: Entry‑level; less than one year of post‑MSW experience and not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Ongoing supervision is required to obtain licensure within three years.
• GS‑11: Minimum one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level in health‑care or related social‑work settings, plus a state license at the independent practice level. A doctoral degree may substitute for the required year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to utilize a Veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling.
• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning, identify problems, strengths, coping skills, and formulate treatment plans.
• Skill in implementing treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups, including supportive, problem‑solving, and crisis‑intervention techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies.
• Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental‑health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for diverse populations.
• Ability to provide consultation to new social workers, graduate students, and other staff regarding psychosocial needs and their impact on health‑care compliance.

Physical Requirements

A pre‑placement physical examination to determine physical, cognitive, and emotional fitness is required prior to appointment for all full‑time individuals.

Pay

Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be awarded based on higher or unique qualifications.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays).
• Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster‑care placement.
• Child‑care subsidy: Up to 25 % of eligible child‑care costs (maximum $416.66 per month) for full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 after 60 days of employment.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage.
• Telework: Ad‑hoc virtual work available; this position is not a virtual position.