Social Worker - Primary Care
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: March 23, 2026 (1 day ago)
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State of Iowa
400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
Location
Iowa, 50319
Salary
$25.62 - $38.64
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Social Services jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves working as a social worker in a state psychiatric hospital, helping adults with severe mental illnesses, including those from jails, by managing their cases, creating treatment plans, and connecting them to community services for mental health and disabilities.
It's a full-time role with flexible hours in an acute care setting focused on inpatient treatment and recovery.
Ideal candidates are compassionate professionals with experience in mental health support who enjoy assisting patients and families through challenging times.
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be eligible.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) is seeking a Social Worker 3 to join our team!
This is a full-time position with an 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. schedule that is flexible and variable as needed.
The Social Worker 3 is located in an acute psychiatric hospital setting and requires extensive case management skills.
This position works with a forensic population including patients admitted from jail who are being evaluated and treated for competency.
Patient assessment skills and a background in severe mental illness treatment approaches are imperative for success in this position.
Knowledge of community service agencies, habilitation services, managed care, disability access points, and the mental health system in Iowa is preferred.
With stringent timelines for documentation, other responsibilities include completing progress notes, creating treatment plans, and planning for discharges.
If you enjoy helping adults and families connect with mental health and disabilities services, this is a great opportunity to consider.
Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans.
Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan.
Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. For more CMHI info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute
Benefits of Joining CMHI
Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.
For additional information on benefits click here.
Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.
Cherokee Highlights
CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa.
Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system.
In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951.
Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”
Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College.
This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.
The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer
HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply.
Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.
The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.
For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
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