Social Worker - Mental Health

Social Worker - Mental Health

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Allentown, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $88005 - $114413 Per Year

Job Summary: 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.

Major Duties:

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Serves as case manager for identified caseload within HUD/VASH Program within designated community coverage locations, conducting outreach within multiple county catchment areas. Conducts patient intake assessments, referrals, treatment plans, case management notes, consults, and discharge documentation in a timely manner within the medical records standards with Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Homeless Operation Management and Evaluation system (HOMES). Provides phase case management services to reflect housing first model towards self-sufficiency for housing with required in-home service delivery visits. Provides direct assistance as indicated for Public Housing Choice Voucher applications, rental searches, grant applications, and other relevant services. Provides referral management assistance and monitoring for community programs, VA Health Care services, public welfare program. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Provides clinical social work assessment, intervention, treatment and follow-up, using a social determinant of health framework. Completes assigned National Call Center for Homeless Veteran Call Center (NCCHV) referrals timely, which includes initial contact within 24 hours, minimal of 3 attempts within 72 hours. Completes all required suicide prevention screen and documentation as directed by policy as outlined by Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention guidance Develops understanding of VA Health Care eligibility and related eligilbity for VA Homeless Programs Participates with Community Homeless Regional Housing Advisory Boards for Veterans by Name list and service coordination. Assists with navigation between varying levels of care and conducts comprehensive transition planning Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures to formulate a treatment plan. Completes Advance Directives, Personal Health Plans, Whole Health and Goals of care evaluations and documentation Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area Participation in department oncall rotation and Homeless Walk In clinic Schedule Maintain VHA directive, handbook, Joint Commission and appropriate accreditation body standards. Completes all assigned Talent Management System courses on time. Adheres to VA Expected Rules and Behaviors for Professionalism and conduct. Attends all scheduled workgroup, team, and department huddles and staff meetings, or obtains supervisory approval for excused absences. Maintains all rules as outline for Government Fleet Vehicle standards, including maintain Drivers License Enters leave request proactively and timely in accordance to union agreement. Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Have a master's 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 master's degree in 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 master's degree level. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Social Worker, 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 or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR; 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 community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and 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. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. ALL INTERNAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT A RECENT SF-50 FOR CONSIDERATION! Preferred Experience: none 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-11 level. Physical Requirements: he work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies

How to Apply: 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 05/05/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12942557. 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 and/or 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-05