Senior Social Worker (PTSD)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Poplar Bluff, MO
3 days ago

$98,331–$127,834 Per Year

Highlights

The advanced practice social worker can be further differentiated from the independent practice social worker by incumbent ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession provide consultation and guidance to colleagues role model effective social work practice skills teach or provide orientation to less experienced social workers develop innovations in practice interventions and provide clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level except for licenses issued in California which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Numbers & Facts

Location	Poplar Bluff, MO
Salary	$98,331–$127,834 Per Year

Description

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Senior Social Worker PTSD

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration John J. Pershing VAMC Poplar Bluff MO. 63901

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Summary

This job is open to

Duties

Requirements

How you will be evaluated

Required documents

How to apply

Summary

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 200000 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.

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Summary

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Overview Help Accepting applications Location 1 vacancy in the following location

Poplar Bluff MO 1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No

Salary 98331 - 127834 per year

Pay scale & grade GS 12 Promotion potential None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required 25 or less - You may be expected to travel for this position. Appointment type Permanent Occupations and job series 0185 Social Work Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive NS Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type Credentialing Suitability Fitness Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number CBSS-13099781-27-JE Control number 890103400 This job is open to Help Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency NOTE The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Duties Help

Major Duties This Senior Social Worker PTSD Clinical Team PCT has experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. At least two years should be in an area of specialized social work practice. The incumbent is licensed or certified by a state area of specialized social work practice. The incumbent is licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advance practice level. The Senior Social Worker may have certification or other post masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculumcourse of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.

The Social Worker independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services to eligible Veterans and their family members to meet biological psychological social and environmental needs. Veterans treated come primarily from the John J. Pershing catchment area. Their health care and psychosocial problems and needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. Services are provided in the John J. Pershing VAMC and in the community. The incumbent is required to interact not only with the patient but also family significant others community agencies and other staff.

a. Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments. Interviews Veterans and their family memberssignificant others to establish facts about the Veterans situation presenting problems and their causes and the impact of such problems on the Veterans functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. Interprets and explains VAs treatment and benefit programs.

b. Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses. Independently evaluates the clients situation including the Veterans reaction and ability to deal with it and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Based on the psychosocial assessment uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make a diagnosis. Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the Veteran and family or significant others. Performs insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness involving psychiatric catastrophic medical conditions dementia and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional decisions and recommendations for agency action.

c. Plans Effective Treatment. Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members including goals for psychosocial clinical treatment. Using known available resources and the initial assessment of the Veterans likelihood to accept differing types of assistance make initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. Arrives at a reasoned conclusion as to the preferred course of agency action. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Serves as liaison for the John J. Pershing Medical CenterHealth Care System Mental Health and Behavior Medicine in providing mental health services to John J. Pershing patients. Coordinates screening of patients for specific mental health programs such as PCT and provides ongoing treatment per mental health program guidelines.

d. Implements Treatment. Provides clinical services to Veterans and family memberssignificant others in support of the Veterans treatment. Gives advice guidance emotional support and other assistance. Provides individual and group counseling services including psychotherapy in some settings. Assists and encourages Veterans and significant others in facing problems thinking them through evaluating the situation realistically considering alternative courses of action and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems.

Work Schedule Monday-Friday 800am-430pm Off duty rotational on-call is a requirement of this position.

Bargaining Unit Yes

EDRP Authorized Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn15edrpva.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questionsassistance. Learn more

Telework Adhoc ONLY

Travel Occasional travel may be required.

Functional Statement 00000000

Requirements Help

Conditions of employment 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 to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12311959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to backgroundsecurity investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements httpswww.uscis.govi-9-centralform-i-9-acceptable-documents. Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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 HCP.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consideryour performance and conductthe needs and interests of the agencywhether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government andwhether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certificationlicensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402b9 as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 enacted November 1 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA all applicants must meet the following

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 section A paragraph 3g this part.

Education. Have a masters degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education CSWE. Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to httpwww.cswe.orgAccreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.

Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to httpvaww.va.govOHRMT38Hybrid.

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education andor licensurecertificationregistration requirements that apply to this occupation.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Services.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403f.

Grade Determinations Senior Social Worker GS-121

ExperienceEducation. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculumcourse of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.

2 LicensureCertification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level except for licenses issued in California which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

3 Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs

a Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual group andor family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial andor case management.

b Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.

c Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.

d Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.

e Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession and to write policies procedures andor practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.

4 Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope complexity difficulty and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25 of the time. Senior social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work at an advanced level. Senior social workers typically practice in a major program area such as but not limited to Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site a Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center or a national VHA referral center such as a national Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a national Transplant Center or other program areas of equivalent scope and complexity. The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to onsite supervision such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics. The senior social worker collaborates with the other members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans ensures equity of access service and benefits to this population ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. The senior social worker provides leadership direction orientation coaching in-service training staff development and continuing education programs for assigned social work staff. They serve on committees work groups and task forces at the facility VISN and national level or in the community as deemed appropriate by the supervisor Social Work Executive or Chief of Social Work Services. This assignment is to be relatively few in number based on the size of the facilityservice and applying sound position management. This assignment must represent substantial additional responsibility over and above that required at the full performance grade level and cannot be used as the full performance level of this occupation.

Preferred Experience Includes advanced clinical work with individuals living with serious mental illness particularly in community-based or recovery-oriented settings. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in evidence-based practices such as Social Skills Training SST Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT. Experience with Assertive Community Treatment ACT principles interdisciplinary team collaboration Prolonged Exposure PE Cognitive Processing Therapy CPT and intensive case management is highly desirable. Additional preferred qualifications include prior experience supervising or mentoring social workers participation in program development and leadership in quality improvement initiatives.

Reference For more information on this qualification standard please visit httpswww.va.govohrmQualificationStandards.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12

Physical Requirements Light Lifting 15 lbs. and under Light Carrying 15 lbs. and under Both hands required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 Far vision correctable in one eye to 2020 and to 2040 in the other Hearing aid permitted emotional and mental stability.

Education Note Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here httpope.ed.govaccreditation. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit httpssites.ed.govinternationalrecognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual Vacation Leave Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate 4 6 or 8 hours per pay period which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and AdministrationOperations Security and Preparedness HRAOSP at The Fair Chance Act.

ExpandHide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application resume C.V. andor supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps and other organizations e.g. professional philanthropic religions spiritual community student social. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate e.g. on resume or during interview or hiring process gain additional knowledge regarding a candidates abilities and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA career development services for our existing Veterans and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Benefits Help

Required documents Required Documents Help

To apply for this position you must provide a complete Application Package which includes

Long-form resume Curriculum vitae CV Professional Certification SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES KSAs LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

Drivers License Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements httpswww.uscis.govi-9-centralform-i-9-acceptable-documents. Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility andor qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application such as a copy of your transcript if using education to qualify SF-50s currentformer Federal employees etc.

Cover Letter Disability Letter Schedule A Disability Letter VA Long-form resume Curriculum vitae CV

HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES KSAs LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

Other 2 Other 3 Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES KSAs LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore provide only the attendance andor degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply Help

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 1159 PM ET on 11022026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click httpsapply.usastaffing.govViewQuestionnaire13099781.

To begin click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume andor other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information Jerome Edmonds Phone 573778-4782 Fax 573-778-4001 Email JEROME.EDMONDSVA.GOV

Address John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff MO 63901 US

Next steps Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages including all required documents and the vacancy announcement closes we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete a referral certificates is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel HCP. It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who during the influenza season work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include but are not limited to VA hospitals and associated clinics community living centers CLCs community-based outpatient clinics CBOCs domiciliary units Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed clinical and administrative remote and onsite paid and without compensation full- and part-time employees intermittent employees fee basis employees VA contractors researchers volunteers and health professions trainees HPTs who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents interns fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries

Equal Employment Opportunity EEO Policy

Financial suitability

New employee probationary period

Privacy Act

Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service

Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents Help