Senior Social Worker- Pain

Summary The Pain Clinic Senior Social Worker is assigned to the St. Cloud VA Health Care System PSM ICC. The incumbent is an integral part of the overall VHA health care program and as part of the health care service delivery to Veterans and their families. Social work services provide case management, resource linkage, clinical and crisis interventions to Veterans and their families in resolving the psychosocial, emotional, and economic problems associated with the stresses of illness. Responsibilities VA Careers - Social Work: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional CLINICIAL FUNCTIONS: A. Conducting behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments. B. Making sound professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and treatment planning. C. Coordinating with internal and external professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care and appropriate/necessary treatment is provided/offered to Veterans. D. Establishing and maintaining knowledge of VA and Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals. E. Providing advocacy to overcome potential barriers to access care/services and when it is in the best interests of the Veteran. F. Provides goals of care discussions, as well as education and assist in the completion of Advance Directives; Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation release of information forms; and Guardianship documentation. G. Assesses for signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. H. Conducts practice in accordance with the VA and discipline specific ethical requirements and practices within the limits of current licensure or certification. I. Completing on-call duties, as assigned and per policy. J. Conducts Virtual Visits in modalities preferred by patients and utilizes Consult Toolbox functions. K. Provides clinical supervision to entry level social workers as needed by the facility determined by the Social Work Executive ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS A. Possesses and demonstrates ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. B. Possesses skills in using computer systems and the internet for Veterans who choose this modality to communicate. C. Serves on supervisor approved committees, work groups, and task forces at the local facility, VISN or national level. D. Attends and participates in all required administrative and clinical meetings. E. Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice and VA administration guidelines. F. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with accreditation bodies such as CARF and Joint Commission, and VA health care systems policies and procedures. G. Participates in Social Work Professional Practice Evaluation processes. H. The incumbent may be assigned to other areas of need in the health care system, as determined necessary by the direct supervisor and/or the ICC Director in consultation with the Social Work Executive. ROLE-SPECIFIC TASKS A. 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. B. Is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain and/or has documented competency of evidence based practice skills and supportive therapy in the range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in the pain clinic specialty treatment program or with this special patient populations. C. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved scope of practice. D. Serving as subject matter expert and a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their understanding of psychological factors and formulation of appropriate treatment expectations regarding patients with chronic pain. E. Maintains current knowledge of procedures, policies, directives, pertinent to social work practice within the health care system and clinics. F. Assist with the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program. G. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services. H. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. I. Actively participates in Health Care System wide committees, investigations, or special projects as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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. 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: 2026-04-04