Social Worker

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 $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. Responsibilities Social Worker is assigned to the outpatient mental health Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team at the Springfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) a part of the Central Western Massachusetts VA Healthcare System. Duties include but are not limited to: Independently working with veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems, most notably those with chronic substance abuse and dependence. Providing outpatient treatment to enhance and maintain community adjustment and maximize veteran's highest level of psychosocial functioning. Completing thorough biopsychosocial intake assessments as part of the consult process when the veteran's is initially referred. Providing individual, group, couples, family counseling, crisis intervention and referral for resources and benefits, using VA support Evidence Based Practices as appropriate. Social Worker has working knowledge and experience in use 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. Independently identifying high-risk patients and provides case management services to veterans with acute and chronic psychiatric and/or substance use disorders. Providing screening, triage, and brief treatment of patients not formally enrolled in treatment. Actively participating as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team; collaborating with veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team in the development and implementation of an outpatient treatment plan. Providing consultation and education to veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives. This includes the incumbent's knowledge of the process for accessing and/or coordinating community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community programs. Offering consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients with substance use disorders; rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Demonstrating the ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the special area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Complying with agency directives, circulars, procedures, and policies; maintains records and statistics; compiles reports; prepares correspondence; makes entries in medical records; evaluates activities; and carries out special project assignments as required. Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. Meeting the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Incumbent can provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , 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: Ad-hoc telework may be available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04798/F06400 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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

Created: 2026-03-23