Social Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Albany (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Federal benefits package

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Social Worker for BHIP, focusing on care coordination, psychosocial assessments, and evidence-based interventions for Veterans.

The role emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and community resources to ensure comprehensive care. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in social work, be licensed to practice, and meet VA qualification standards.

Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Licensed in a state to practice social work at the master’s level.
• Graduates from candidacy status schools do not meet the requirement.

Responsibilities

• Provide biopsychosocial assessments to determine care needs.
• Coordinate care and discharge planning with Veterans and families.
• Deliver psychosocial interventions across a range of clinical scenarios.
• Consult with Veterans and families on VA resources and benefits.
• Serve as liaison between VA and community resources for seamless care.

Skills

Community resources

Psychosocial assessments

Medical/mental health knowledge

Treatment modalities

Consultation

Education

Master's in Social Work (MSW)

CSWE accreditation

State licensure to practice social work

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 https://www.cswe.org/accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters 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/
• 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: Social Worker - GS-11 Experience and Licensure
• Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one 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
• NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c
• OR - 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 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• (b)Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgrounds
• (c)Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan
• (d)Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goals
• (e)Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS 11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent is responsible for providing care coordination services (including but not limited to biopsychosocial assessment - walk-in/crisis services - education - provision of self-management resources) and other clinical tasks as needed for Veterans receiving services in BHIP
• Care coordination (including care management and/or case management) includes determining and monitoring care coordination needs over time - providing care coordination - and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive - personalized care and care continuity
• Provide a full range of services within commonly accepted standards of practice and prioritizes care coordination activities as the primary job function [e.g. - needs assessment - chart reviews - care or case management (as needed) - discharge planning - outreach - etc.] and other services as appropriate
• Provide care coordination (including care management or case management) to Veterans and families - as needed - throughout the continuum of care
• This includes communication within and across care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments to determine care coordination and treatment needs of Veterans
• Provide consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools) - community resources - Advance Directives and VA benefits
• Participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote care continuity
• Act as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members
• Act as liaison between VA and community resources - to include education and bidirectional communication that promotes seamless care
• Provide wellness/prevention education and may facilitate patient/family educational/bridging supportive sessions as appropriate
• Document interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care
• Maintain familiarity and share responsibility with other team members for performance measures relevant to the BHIP team
• Perform other BHIP-related duties as directed by the Supervisor - such as - but not limited to: training/mentoring and oversight of new staff & those not yet clinically licensed - and preparing for and training staff on CARF & The Joint Commission standards and accreditation process
• Participate in committee assignments - as deemed necessary by the service manager
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA 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 #: 60481F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized