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Social Worker (Clinical)

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Clinical Center, Social Work Department (SWD)

Summary

This position provides a full range of screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment, consultative, and educational services to patients, caregivers, and staff. If you are a talented, knowledgeable, and motivated individual with clinical social work experience in a medical setting and want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the NIH, Clinical Center, Social Work Department. For more information visit: https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/swd/index.html.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/26/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$85,447 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NIH-CC-DE-26-12974449
Control number
873013200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

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  • Performing a range of conventional screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment, consultative, and educational services to assigned segment of Clinical Center patients, caregivers, and staff.
  • Completing psychosocial assessment of patients and caregivers in order to identify those factors which have a bearing on his/her ability to cope with stress and the requirements of the research protocols.
  • Communicating with community agencies regarding the needs of the patient and his/her caregivers, and arrange for the needed services they can provide.
  • Identifying gaps in service and make recommendations in order to maximize patient care and to implement the treatment goals.
  • Developing a working knowledge of state and local bureaucracies in order to assist patients make optimal use of local resources.
  • Identifying financial needs of patients and caregivers during hospital stays and participates in determining resources available for assistance, consistent with the goal of maximizing adjustment to research protocols.
  • Consulting with other Clinical Center Departments, in addition to assigned organizational segment, on specific case referrals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • A valid, unrestricted independent Clinical Social Work License from any U.S. State or Territory is required for this position.
  • Position requires a Master's degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Please provide transcripts.
  • Position is designated as an "emergency essential" position. See definition of this designation in the Additional Information Section of this announcement.
  • This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
  • At the supervisors discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibility: Flexible Schedules.
  • This position requires weekend and holiday hours.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.

Qualifications

Education Qualification Requirement for GS-11/12:

In order to qualify for a Social Worker, GS-0185 position, you must have a Master's Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Additional Qualifications Requirements for the GS-11:

A. In addition, in order to qualify for a Social Worker-GS-0185, at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: Independently completing bio/psycho/social/spiritual assessments and determining a course of action to address identified needs; providing guidance to individuals and families regarding a variety of available community services in such areas as education, recreational therapy, spiritual ministry, psychological/psychiatric consultation, and financial assistance; establishing and facilitating intercommunication between patients, caregivers and medical or research staff; providing individual and small group psychotherapy; developing and implementing medical and mental health discharge plans, and maintaining social work records to document all activities.
OR

B. Completion of three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field.
OR

C. A combination of post-graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Additional Qualifications Requirements for the GS-12:

In addition, in order to qualify for a Social Worker-GS-0185, at the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: Independently completing bio/psycho/social/spiritual assessments of mentally or medically ill patients and families in the healthcare setting to identify factors having a bearing on their illness and recovery and making recommendations regarding their ability to participate in research protocols; developing and implementing a treatment plan for seriously medically or mentally ill clients based on an assessment of psychological, social and medical realities; evaluating social work policies and programs and making recommendations for modifications; providing crisis counseling for patients and caregivers in coordination with primary medical team and adjunct consulting services; developing educational programs for medical and allied personnel on the psychosocial and economic aspects of illness.

Selective Factor(s): In order to meet minimum qualification requirements you must demonstrate possession of the selective factor(s) of this position. Selective factor(s) include(s):

  • You must possess a current, valid, unrestricted independent Clinical Social Work License (i.e., LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, etc.) from a licensing board in the United States including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12974449

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • The work environment involves moderate risks or discomforts which are present in hospitals and may include exposure to contagious diseases. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing such as masks, gowns and gloves. While some biological and/or radiological hazards may be present, such areas are clearly marked so that protective measures can be taken.
  • Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to the assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

How You Will Be Evaluated
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 80 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

As part of the NIH Clinical Center's multidisciplinary team, the Social Work Department assists patients and their families with personal and social problems related to illness and hospitalization. Social Workers ease the admission process, address problems that arise during treatment, and facilitate re-entry into the community. The department provides counseling, support groups, discharge planning, and community resource linkage to patients. The department also manages the Language Interpreter Program for patients with limited English proficiency and a Social Work Education and Training Program.

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
Email
ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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