Social Worker

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework available

Job summary

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks seeks a Social Worker to support the Veterans in the Direct Care program, conducting psychosocial assessments and coordinating services. The role includes documenting cases, coordinating with VA staff, and referring to community resources, with attention to benefits knowledge and patient advocacy.

Responsibilities include independent assessment, case management, program outreach, and collaboration with stakeholders to improve care for Veterans and their

Qualifications

• Independently conducts psychosocial assessments of a wide variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Screen and approve services for Veterans in the program and ensure VA eligibility requirements are met.
• Establish and maintain relationships with staff and community agencies.
• Track program data and prepare reports for leadership and VA offices.
• Provide education to VA staff on program changes and procedures.
• Identify high-risk patients and provide case management services.
• Coordinate community-based services and information/referrals.
• Maintain knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs.

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.

Major Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Veteran-Direct Care Social Worker includes, but are not limited to: Responsible for the screening, approval, modification, and recertification of services for Veterans in the program and ensures that Veterans approved for services meet VA eligibility requirements. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with staff members Provides review, follow-up, and appropriate documentation of all complaints regarding the program Track program data, organizes and prepares reports for service leadership, the health system director, VISN, and VA Central Office. Conduct outreach to VHSO staff to market the program, provides formal and informal education to VA staff on any changes to VA or VHSO policy and procedures concerning the program Attends and participates in monthly and quarterly conference calls and training programs related to the VDC program. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments of a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diverse backgrounds. Knowledgeable concerning psychosocial treatment and the ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Ability to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs. Has working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatments, to include: acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff representatives of community agencies Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Has general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, and non-service connected pension. Incumbent will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. Understand the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Is responsible for the implementation of written program policies and procedures. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Ability to drive a government vehicle for the purpose of conducting visits in the community. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri- 8:00 am-4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Contact [e-mail], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

• 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: Available.
• 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.

Functional Statement #: 564-01575,01576F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Health Care Systems of the Ozarks employees; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; and 4th Area of Consideration - all other applicants. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Other Information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

The Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.