Summary
The Senior Social Worker works as part of the Clinical Care Review Team (CCRT). The incumbent practices at the advanced level and has specialized knowledge of practice related to chronic illness and care coordination. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and coordinating services needed by Veterans that are identified as needing complex care coordination and case management.
Duties
Duties Include: The Senior Social Worker in this position functions as the Orlando VA Health Care System CCRT assigned Social Worker. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and coordinating services needed by Veterans that are identified as needing complex care coordination and case management. As a Senior Social Worker, the incumbent is also the key point of contact between services including but not limited to: Acute Care, Primary Care, Mental Health, Social Work, Specialty and various community agencies. The CCRT Senior Social Worker has advance practice clinical skills including the ability to conduct screening and assessment, identification of potential barriers to safe discharge planning and services needed to optimize the Veteran's functional status. The incumbent demonstrates an expert understanding of diagnoses and the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. The incumbent provides case management utilizing knowledge of various insurance types (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, other private health insurances, and VA benefits) to recommend appropriate referrals and discharge plans to community providers. This may include verification of Veteran status and eligibility for participation in VA programs, monitoring admission and discharge dates of participants, reviewing and completing referrals, collecting, analyzing, and submitting Veteran information. The CCRT Senior Social Worker understands the intricacies of the organization and will act as an advocate when it serves in the best interest of the Veteran/family/caregiver. Provides independent consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plans. May serve as a mentor to other Social Workers and provide orientation, particularly those at the entry level. May provide clinical supervision for unlicensed Social Workers and for Social Work associates. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, the CCRT Social Worker will follow the protocol of the Orlando VA Healthcare System including completion of suicide risk assessments and Suicide Behavior and Overdose Reports. The CRRT Social Worker will participate in coverage for social work services on the assigned unit/service, and when needed for other programs or teams for both inpatient and outpatient as needed. The CCRT Social Worker will participate in all assigned administrative and educational meetings to include individual, team huddles, and will participate in, both social work and matrix, staff meetings. Work requires regular and recurring periods of standing, walking, and lifting. This is primarily a clinic-based position, but there may be times when this position requires work in the community which may include the ability to operate a government vehicle. Work areas are often noisy, irregular and unpredictable, and can be stressful at times. The Incumbent performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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: Available, Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82650F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether 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.
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/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
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 candidate's 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.