Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Associate

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Parma (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Social Worker will be part of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team (BHIP) at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, providing evidence-based care to Veterans in an outpatient mental health clinic. The role emphasizes case management, crisis intervention, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualified applicants must hold an MSW from an accredited program, be licensed to practice social work, and demonstrate strong communication with diverse populations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school.
• Licensure as a social worker in a state at independent practice level.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
• Ability to work with Veterans and families from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and coordinate care to Veterans in BHIP.
• Advocate for Veterans to ensure comprehensive, seamless mental health services.
• Participate in program planning and advise on policy changes.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and identify treatment needs.
• Provide crisis intervention in collaboration with the treatment team.

Skills

Case management

Crisis intervention

Veterans services knowledge

Communications with diverse groups

Education

MSW from CSWE-accredited program

Job description

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is actively recruiting for a Social Worker within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team (BHIP).The incumbent serves as a BHIP Associate - providing expert care to Veterans served by the VA Medical Center's interdisciplinary outpatient mental health clinic utilizing evidence-based interventions for Veterans with a wide range of mental and behavioral health conditions.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position - you must meet the requirement below within 30 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement.

Basic Requirements

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C.
• 7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000
• To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the 3 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/
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Exception
• VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification
• In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations:GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
• Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goals
• This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures
• This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries
• common medications and their effects/side effects
• and medical terminology
• 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
• 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
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified backgrounds
• 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
• 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/120 - Part II - Appendix G39
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work of this position is primarily facility based and has no requirement for strenuous physical activity
• The incumbent will sit - stand - walk - throughout the facility during the tour of duty
• There may be requirement to travel within the catchment area - VISN - or nationally
• Duties may require attendance at non-VA facilities and events in the community for the purpose of networking - supervision - and training of staff.

Duties

• The Social Worker duties include - but are not limited to: Provides case management which includes determining and monitoring care coordination needs over time - and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive - personalized care and care continuity
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans on BHIP teams to ensure delivery of comprehensive - seamless mental health service
• Participates in program planning and development - advising the supervisor of shifting trends in caseloads and identifying the need for making recommendations on program procedures and/or policy changes based upon work experiences
• Provides a full range of services within commonly accepted standards of practice and prioritizes case management and supportive therapy activities as the primary job function [e.g. - chart reviews - case management - psychoeducational and coping skills groups facilitating measurement-based care and other services as appropriate
• Conducts biopsychosocial assessments to assess high risk factors - including suicidal and homicidal ideation - acute needs for VHA or community-based services - and to determine case management and treatment needs of Veterans
• Provides crisis intervention - in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team - for Veterans who are experiencing severe social or mental health crises
• Performs 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
• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 93774A (GS-9) 93783A (GS-11) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: 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
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized