Senior Social Worker

Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Senior Social Worker in VA Augusta provides expert mental health services within primary care, conducting assessments, brief interventions, and crisis management. They collaborate with teams, coordinate care, and support Veterans' access to services, ensuring compliance with policies, privacy, and safety standards. The role emphasizes independence, professional development, and culturally sensitive, age-appropriate care. Duties include, however, not limited to: Conducts independent diagnostic, psychosocial, and behavioral health assessments to identify Veteran needs and guide treatment planning. Provides brief, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to support behavioral medicine and mental health concerns in primary care or specialty settings. Delivers consultation and guidance to interdisciplinary providers, supporting clinical decision-making, care coordination, and Veteran engagement. Coordinates care across primary care, mental health, social work, community programs, and specialty services, ensuring timely referrals, follow-up, and smooth transitions of care. Develops, implements, and updates treatment plans, clinical documentation, and program-related operational procedures consistent with VA standards and performance measures. Performs crisis intervention, including suicide risk assessment, stabilization, safety planning, and determining urgent escalation needs. [ Participates in program development, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives, contributing to data-driven enhancements in service delivery. Provides education and resource navigation for Veterans and families, helping them access VA and community supports and reduce barriers to care. Collaborates in team meetings, interdisciplinary case reviews, and coordinated care planning, promoting Veteran-centered integrated services. Maintains compliance with documentation, privacy standards, VA policies, and regulatory requirements, ensuring quality and safety in clinical practice. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Lakita Bush @ lakita.bush@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62753F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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