Social Worker Placement Specialist

Published: 8/28/2026

Social Worker

Summary

The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics (JAHVH) in Tampa, Florida is a Level I-A tertiary medical center. This position serves as a front line Social Worker and liaison for the VA, supporting the Office of Community Care (OCC) program. Position works primarily with non-VA community hospital case managers across the Tampa VA catchment area to assist in discharge planning, safe transfers and smooth placements for Veterans to the next medically appropriate and ordered level of care.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

The GS-09 Social Worker carries out duties under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who is a qualified supervisor. This supervisor may not necessarily be from the same area where the incumbent works. Additionally, incumbents may receive day-to-day oversight from their section supervisor as needed

GS 9 and GS 11

The Social Worker reports directly to the Non-Institutional Care Supervisor for Social Work Service. In general, the Social Worker practices independently, consistently exercising independent judgment in day-to-day activities. Supervision/consultation is of an administrative and professional nature; with the Supervisory Social Worker, providing guidelines to the general policy and direction of the Non-Institutional Care section.
The OCC Placement Specialist reports directly to the assigned PACT Supervisor for Social Work Service. In general, the Social Worker practices independently, consistently exercising independent judgment in day-to-day activities. Supervision/consultation is of an administrative and professional nature; with the Supervisory Social Worker, providing guidelines to the general policy and direction of the Non-Institutional Care section.
The social worker is also responsible to the Chief of Social Work Service for professional practice issues. The social worker is expected to participate in professional activities within his/her respective discipline and, when needed, consults with the Chief of Social Work regarding discipline specific concerns.
The Social Worker is responsible for independently discharging the mandates of the position. It is the incumbent's responsibility to solicit consultation as appropriate. The incumbents' ongoing performance will be reviewed through direct supervision, reports, review of work, and information from others such as VA facility leadership and department leaders.
Care provided may include assessments and case management of:
- Placement of Veterans from non-VA medical facilities to the next level of care.
- Responsible for assisting Office of Integrated Veteran Care (OIVC) patients with VA contract referral requests.
- May be responsible for assisting with other patient placements as determined by assigned supervisor.
Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, as well as identify and screen patients for psychosocial needs. Implements treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups.
Conducts psychosocial assessments, develop treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team, and offers psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes of interventions.
Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for those services including VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs.
Makes rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to acute, short term, and/or long term placements. Utilizes multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis.
Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. 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.
Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans/patients and their families and/or caregivers. Works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills.
Maintains general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation and non-service connected pension. Maintains advanced knowledge of community resources as well as VA programs that support the psychosocial and financial needs of Veterans living independently in the community and facilitates referrals.

Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 7:30am to 4:00pm.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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.

Functional Statement #: 72192F; 72193F Social Worker Placement Specialist GS 9/11

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
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.
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.
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).
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date 09/07/2026 of this announcement.

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.
English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
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 master 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/.
- Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.]
- For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure.

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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-09 Social Workercandidates must have the following:

Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-11 Social Workercandidates must have the following:

Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one (1) 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.

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 (1) year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting

While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position.

Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

These are the KSA's for this subject position:

GS-09

Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate a treatment care plan, identifying Home Health Aide agencies who can assist Veterans with performing activities of daily living (AOL) care and activities of instrumental daily living (AIDL).
Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
Fundamental knowledge 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.
Participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives as deemed necessary for professional growth and development in alignment with scope of assigned duties.

GS-11

Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family member, and to formulate a treatment care plan, identifying Home Health Aide agencies who can assist Veterans with performing activities of daily living (ADL) care and activities of instrumental daily living (AIDL).
Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
Fundamental knowledge 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.
Participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives as deemed necessary for professional growth and development in alignment with scope of assigned duties.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard

Preferred Experience:

Medical Social Work, Case Management
Inpatient, outpatient, and specialty medical care programs

Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position.The physical demands of this position include walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a desk working on a computer, engaging in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patients, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation.

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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-….

Additional information

This vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference.

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 Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.