WDVA Psychiatric Social Worker 2, Full Time-Perm, Spokane Veterans Home

Full Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of heroes who gave so much for us? This opportunity as the Psychiatric Social Worker 2 may be just for you! This critical role is located at the Spokane Veterans Home in Spokane, Washington.

Homes 24/7 facility differential: Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.

*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.

Please note: The work schedule will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May be required to adjust hours for program needs. Must be able to report to work regularly. This is an overtime exempt position.

Hybrid/Telework: This position is not eligible for telework.

Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star.

As the Psychiatric Social Worker 2 for our Spokane Veterans Home, you will provide medically related social services to veterans/spouses to attain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each veteran.

If you want to make a difference in healing the seen and unseen wounds of veterans and provide them with quality care, then we encourage you to join our team by applying now!

Requirements

Some of what you be doing includes:

• Providing direct clinical psychiatric social worker services to residents and their families.
• Completing psychosocial assessments, including psychiatric case histories as needed.
• Completing assigned components of RAI (MDS, CAAs, and Care Plans).
• Conducting interview for ongoing assessment and treatment with a focus on the resident's cognitive, mood, psychosocial, and behavioral status.
• Directing contact with residents and their families.
• Serving as the facility discharge planner to assigned residents, assessing resident readiness for discharge, and planning for smooth transition from facility to community.
• Serving as an active participant on the behavior team.
• Serving as a member of treatment team, facilitating resident care conferences, and providing input on resident status relative to area of expertise.
• Developing behavior plans and maintaining behavior monitors when necessary.
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work. (Must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education) OR Equivalent education/experience
• Must have a minimum of one year of experience providing care for individuals with chronic mental health issues, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities in a long-term care or behavioral health care setting.
• Must have advanced practice knowledge in aging, disability, mental illness, Alzheimer’s disease, and developmental disabilities.
• Must be proficient in the English language and be able to read, write and speak English

Skills & Competencies:

• Must have excellent facilitation skills with the ability to focus and direct group discussions.
• Must have good analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to weigh options and foresee consequences and employ sound judgment in managing problems and resources.
• Must have strong clinical skills and long-term care knowledge, including regulatory requirements.
• Must have strong leadership skills with the ability to model support of the WDVA mission and vision as well as support of facility leadership and team members.
• Must have consulting skills, including the ability to partner with residents, families and other providers and care team to identify and service resident care needs.
• Must have the willingness to champion resident-centered care concept and principles.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work (must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education)
• Current valid licensure in the State of WA for Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW), Licensed Social Worker Associate and Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
• Received specialized training devoted to mental illness and treatment of older adults.
• Experience in the care of geriatric population and dementia care.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize a heavy workload.
• Knowledge of medical conditions/diagnoses in relationship to psychosocial wellbeing.
• Knowledge of categories of psychoactive medication and side effect profiles.
• Working knowledge of federal tags, WAC’s, etc.
• Knowledge of veterans’ issues/PTSD/resources.

Special requirements:

Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.

Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.

Follow all HIPPA guidelines.

Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. and be capable of reaching a minimum of 36" using proper technique to stock shelves and access supplies. Employee must also be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is expected to adjust hours to meet program needs. This may require working excess hours to include weekends and/or holidays.

Must comply with mandatory training requirements.

Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and be willing to work as needed.

Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service, and other required training.

Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.

Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.

Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.

Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Additional Information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:

The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position.

Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application: 1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications. 2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers. Other Information:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency.

Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge.

It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone. The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer.

Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183.

TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.