WDVA Psychiatric Social Worker 3 (IN-TRAINING), Full-Time - Permanent, Washington Soldiers Home

Full Job Description

We are pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for a full-time Psychiatric Social Worker 3 at the historic Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, Washington!

Join our team and contribute to the organization’s mission in this role by assuring that veterans at the Washington Soldiers Home receive the behavioral and social interventions needed to enhance their quality of life!

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.

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 a Psychiatric Social Worker 3, you will provide medically related social services to Veterans and/or their spouses to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial wellbeing of each Veteran.

You will support our vision statement by assisting Veterans to heal their seen and unseen wounds of war and to participate in providing quality care in our Veterans Home. Connect with your goals and change lives in accomplishing our mission of "Serving Those Who Served" with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.

In-Training Notice: This recruitment allows for the Hiring manager to hire at the Psychiatric Social Worker 1, 2 or 3 level with an in-training plan for each level below 3. The Psychiatric Social Worker 3 classification is the goal classification for this role. Please review the full posting to understand the qualification criteria for each level.

If hired at the Psychiatric Social Worker 1 level, the incumbent will be in in-training status and must obtain their master’s degree.

They must also gain one year of experience working as a Psychiatric Social Worker 1. When these requirements have been met, the incumbent will be elevated to a PSW2.

They must obtain a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) credential. This step of the in-training planning is expected to be completed in one year.

If Hired/when elevated to the Psychiatric Social Worker 2 level, the incumbent will be in an in-training status.

The incumbent must gain one year of experience working as a Psychiatric Social Worker 2 and obtain a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) credential.

When these requirements have been met, the incumbent will be elevated to a PSW3 in a trial-service period.

If hired/when elevated to the Psychiatric Social Worker 3 level, the incumbent will be in a trial service period. The incumbent must obtain Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential to practice in the State of Washington. Trial service period not to exceed 1 year.

Requirements

Some of what you'll do:

• Perform psychosocial assessments and psychiatric case histories.
• Complete assigned components of RAI (MDS, CAA, care plans research and completion).
• Interview residents for ongoing assessment and treatment with a focus on the resident’s cognitive, mood,psychosocial and behavioral status.
• Maintain direct contact with residents and families.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Monitor, track, and report on resident and family complaints and grievances.
• Complete documentation in a timely fashion and in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Perform assessments, one-on-one visits, phone calls, care conferences, and discharge planning.
• Serve as the facility discharge planner; assess resident readiness for discharge and plan for smooth transition fromfacility to community.
• Maintain working knowledge and written materials related to community resources.
• Conduct and participate in resident/family groups, facilitate resident care conferences, and provide input on residentstatus relative to area of expertise.
• Develop behavior plans and maintain behavior monitors when necessary.
• Ensure accurate tracking and monitoring of all psych drugs.
• Prepare reports for behavior team on assigned residents.
• Review and monitor care plans and, with team support, make recommendations to care plan.
• Provide in-service education to all staff as required by regulation and as needed.
• Provide oversight, direction, training, performance development plan expectations and evaluations, and approval forleave, timesheet reporting, etc.
  And more!
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Must be proficient in the English language.

Psychiatric Social Worker 3:

• Master’s degree from an approved school of social work. Note: A degree in social work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Two (2) two years of experience working with a population requiring mental health counseling or emotionally disturbed individuals.
• Must be a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) to practice in the State of Washington.

Psychiatric Social Worker 2:

• Master’s degree from an approved school of social work. Note: A degree in social work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• One (1) year of experience in counseling mentally or emotionally disturbed individuals or one (1) year of professional casework experience.
• Must be a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) to practice in the State of Washington.

Psychiatric Social Worker 1:

• A Bachelor's degree from an approved school of social work. Note: A degree in social work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

Preferred/Desired:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively complete MDS 3.0, RAI requirements.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in care of geriatric population, dementia care, geriatric mental health or Veteran population.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize a heavy workload.
• Knowledge of:
  • Medical conditions/diagnoses.
  • Categories of psychoactive medication.
  • Veterans’ issues and trauma informed care.

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.

Remain current on CPR.

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.

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.

In-Training Plan, if Applicable:
Position may be filled as an in-training plan, as outlined below:

If hired as the PSW1 level, the incumbent will be in in-training probationary/trial service status and must obtain their master's degree. They must also gain one year of experience working as a Psychiatric Social Worker 1. When these requirements have been met, the incumbent will be elevated to a PSW2 in in-training trial service status. They must obtain a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) credential. This step of the in-training planning is expected to be completed in one year.

If hired/when elevated to the PSW2 level, the incumbent will be in an in-training status probation/trial service status. The incumbent must gain one year of experience working as a Psychiatric Social Worker 2 and obtain a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) credential. When these requirements have been met, the incumbent will be elevated to a PSW3 in in-training trial-service status.

If hired/when elevated to the PSW3 level, the incumbent will be in in-training probationary/trial service status. The incumbent must obtain Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential to practice in the State of Washington within 1 year. The in-training probationary/trial service period will not exceed 1 year.

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.