| Location | Palo Alto, CA |
| Salary | $89,109–$140,165 Per Year |
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Social Worker (Acute Medicine-Surgery)
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
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Summary
The incumbent works onsite in the Emergency Department or Acute Care inpatient units. The purpose of this assignment is to provide a full range of comprehensive and professional medical social work services to Veterans and their families. The incumbent provides screening, assessment, care coordination, resource referral, and discharge planning to individuals and families with a variety of social, emotional, and health-related challenges.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The incumbent works onsite in the Emergency Department or Acute Care inpatient units. The purpose of this assignment is to provide a full range of comprehensive and professional medical social work services to Veterans and their families. The incumbent provides screening, assessment, care coordination, resource referral, and discharge planning to individuals and families with a variety of social, emotional, and health-related challenges.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Palo Alto, CA
1 vacancy
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $89,109 - $140,165 per year Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Promotion potential 11
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union Yes
Drug test No Security clearance Other 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
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CBSW-13052960-26-LD Control number 884297200
This job is open to
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
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Duties
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VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
The purpose of this assignment is to provide a full range of comprehensive and professional medical social work services to Veterans and their families who are admitted to the Emergency Department or Inpatient Medicine-Surgery Units at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The incumbent provides screening, assessment, and care coordination, resource referral, and discharge planning to individuals and families with a variety of social, emotional, and health-related challenges. Services are timely and effectively coordinated with other health professionals, including the attending physician, medical interns and residents, physical and occupational therapists, nurses, social workers from other VA programs, nurse case managers, pharmacists, etc.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:
GS-9: The social worker is supervised by the Supervisory Social Worker. Work is reviewed through regularly scheduled meetings with the supervisor, through monitoring of progress notes and other accountability practices, and from reports from the program areas to which the incumbent is assigned. All social work duties must be under the close supervision of a social work supervisor or licensed social worker of a higher grade.
GS-11: The social worker performs duties independently, reporting to the Supervisory Social Worker, Acute Medicine Section. Supervision/consultation is of an administrative and professional nature. Work is reviewed by spot-check, through regularly scheduled meetings with the supervisor, through monitoring of recording and other accountability practices, and from reports from the program areas to which the incumbent is assigned.
Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor.
Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisors discretion.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive. Contact v21ccoeedrp@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 off 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: This may be authorized at the supervisors discretion.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10304-F, 100092-F
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
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 consider:
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 education or licensure requirements may be referred, tentatively selected, but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: The requirements for VHA social workers are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following:
Exception: This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline.
GS-9 grade level: VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed at the independent, masters level within three years of their appointment. A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the above for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-9:
Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
Assess the psychosocial functioning needs of Veterans and their family members to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
Implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem-solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.
Entry Level Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure. Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, providing education, social work case management, acting as an advocate of the Veteran and family members/caregiver; identifying the strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, psychosocial acuity, and assisting with the appropriate referrals. GS-9 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision.
GS-11:
Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure in a state at the independent practice level.
Education: In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to the community and other governmental agencies for services, and the ability to coordinate services.
Independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds.
Medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures (i.e., acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
Independently implementing different treatment modalities, working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
Provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.
Full Performance Level Assignments: This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed to independently practice social work.
Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to mental health, rehabilitation, and geriatrics. Provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area.
Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or intimate partner violence; maintaining Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policy; acting as an advocate with VA and community service providers when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Independently formulate and implement a treatment plan, including achievable goals, identifying the needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Providing subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the treatment of Veterans, offering professional opinions based on experience, expertise, and role modeling effective social work practice skills.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education is NOT accepted per the GS-0185 Qualification Standards
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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 Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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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
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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., and/or 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
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.
Required documents
Required Documents
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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or 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 (current/former Federal employees), etc.
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 and/or 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 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/21/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052960.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Agency contact information
Libet Kalista
Phone (650)694-6000 X15191 Email LIBET.KALISTA@VA.GOV Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
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 certificate(s) 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
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or 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 (current/former Federal employees), etc.
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 and/or 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 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/21/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052960.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Libet Kalista
Phone (650)694-6000 X15191 Email LIBET.KALISTA@VA.GOV Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
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 certificate(s) 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.
Expand Hide next steps
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
Veterans Health Administration
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise "To care for those who have served in our nations military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate, whole health care to Veterans?
The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) is part of the VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), which includes facilities in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. VAPAHCS is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary, tertiary, and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. The Research and Development Service excels as a leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The non-profit corporation, the Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR), has contributed to making VAPAHCS a leader in research.
VAPAHCS is affiliated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, which provides a rich academic environment, including medical training for physicians in virtually all specialties and subspecialties.
To learn more, visit: http://www.paloalto.va.gov/about/
Agency contact information
Libet Kalista
Phone (650)694-6000 X15191 Email LIBET.KALISTA@VA.GOV Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what its like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
Summary
The incumbent works onsite in the Emergency Department or Acute Care inpatient units. The purpose of this assignment is to provide a full range of comprehensive and professional medical social work services to Veterans and their families. The incumbent provides screening, assessment, care coordination, resource referral, and discharge planning to individuals and families with a variety of social, emotional, and health-related challenges.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Palo Alto, CA
1 vacancy
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $89,109 - $140,165 per year Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Promotion potential 11
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union Yes
Drug test No Security clearance Other 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
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CBSW-13052960-26-LD Control number 884297200
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