Supervisory Social Worker (Primary Care and Outpatient Specialty Programs)

Full Time, onsite
Veterans Health Administration
Garner, United States of America

$ 125,657 - $ 163,356 / month

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The Supervisory Social Worker has responsibility and authority for the planning, coordination, management, and oversight of all relevant elements that constitute Social Work Service programs in the assigned areas.
The incumbent provides both clinical and administrative supervision necessary to accomplish the work of the unit.
Supervisor employs a broad range of clinical, technical, and administrative skills, knowledge, and experience in performing the duties required of this role, while using independent judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to resolve issues.
Incumbent collaborates with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work related changes affecting other programs.
The Supervisor advises Care Line Managers/Chiefs on issues and problems that involve the relationship of social work programs, services, and activities to the various units and areas of care where they are located.
Incumbent is responsible for assisting in the implementation of PACT models within assigned outpatient and specialty care clinics, as well as compliance with associated standards and guidelines set forth in relevant VA policies and memorandums.
Supervisor has responsibility for various accountability practices (e.g. ensuring social work recordings are current and compliant with VA, Joint Commission, and CARF standards; ensuring that appropriate quality improvement practices are in place; providing pertinent data relative to programs in assigned areas of responsibility).
Incumbent recruits, screens, and interviews applicants and makes recommendations regarding selection to SWS Chief.
Incumbent supervises multidisciplinary staff that are integrated within outpatient Teams/Clinics notable for their fast-paced environments of care, serve Veterans having complex and often specialized needs, and responsible for caseloads that are consistently high in volume and/or turnover.
Supervisor ensures that provisionally licensed social workers have access to clinical supervision for licensure and that new employees are partnered with a peer mentor.
Provides orientation and training to new clinical staff regarding social work functions.
Develops and monitors staff compliance with social work practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice, and service delivery.
The incumbent ensures that interventions, treatment and services are appropriate, effective, timely, of a high quality, efficient, equitable, and promote safety; provided in a comprehensive, integrated, and highly coordinated manner; evidence-based, informed by current research, and adapted to changing therapeutic models; consistent with the evolving health care needs of the Veteran population.
Manages the quality control and evaluation of the professional services provided.
Supervisor conducts regular and ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure goals and objectives of the section are accomplished and that practice adheres to standards established by governing bodies.
Supervisor performs personnel management functions relative to staff supervised and is knowledgeable about the administrative processes and documentation required of each respective discipline and/or profession.
Incumbent establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.
Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Works to resolve both formal and informal complaints and grievances. Develops performance improvement plans and recommends personnel actions as necessary. Takes disciplinary action as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area.
Provides advice and counsel to staff on professional, clinical, and administrative matters.
Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.
Assures that staff are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
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 dentification 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).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determination Requirements GS-13:In addition to the basic requirements, this following are required for the GS-13 grade-level position:

Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as a supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.
Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.
Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.
Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.

Preferred Experience: Extensive knowledge of PACT model of care. Experience planning, initiating, administering, and evaluating programs that provide services to Veterans with complex medical and psychiatric problems, the Veterans family, and/or the Veterans caregiver. Experience in administrative, program coordination, and management; coordinating and overseeing multidisciplinary staff and treatment services.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 13.

Physical Requirements: There are no physical requirements.

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: . 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: .

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .

Benefits

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. .

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.

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
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 dentification 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).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determination Requirements GS-13:In addition to the basic requirements, this following are required for the GS-13 grade-level position:

Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as a supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.
Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.
Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.
Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.