Social Worker - Homeless Veterans Program HUD-VASH

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Social Worker to function as a Medical Centers Case Manager for Central Iowa Healthcare System's HUD-VASH Homeless Veterans program. The role involves independent case management, collaboration with HUD-assisted housing, and intensive services for Veterans and their families.

Responsibilities include psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and coordination with interdisciplinary teams to improve housing stability and health

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from CSWE-accredited school.
• Licensure or certification required in state to practice social work.
• Experience in homeless services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Provide direct social work services to Veterans and family members.
• Offer individual and group counseling and crisis management as needed.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies.

Skills

Veteran-focused interventions

Psychosocial assessments

Treatment planning

Crisis intervention

Communication with clients and staff

Education

Master's in Social Work (CSWE-accredited)

Job description

Summary

The social worker in this position functions independently as one of the Medical Centers Case Manager for Central Iowa Healthcare System for Homeless Veterans Program's HUD-VASH Program. The HUD-VASH Program is a collaborative effort supported through HUD section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services.

Summary

The social worker in this position functions independently as one of the Medical Centers Case Manager for Central Iowa Healthcare System for Homeless Veterans Program's HUD-VASH Program. The HUD-VASH Program is a collaborative effort supported through HUD section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services.

Qualifications

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: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• Education Requirement: 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 accreditation standards for a masters of social work
• Licensure Requirement: 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/
• 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
• 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: GS-9 (Entry Level): Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level - VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAs
• Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors
• 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 (Full Performance Level): 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the applicant's resume 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 - educational - and other 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
• Preferred Experience: Working with individual experiencing homelessness - providing case management - working in community-based settings
• References: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
  

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer
• The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an 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 review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply
• A
• Interviews Veterans and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments for Referral and Treatment Planning
• The incumbent is responsible for the assessment - identification - facilitation and referral to appropriate medical and psychiatric services to those Veterans identified as appropriate for the HUD-VASH program
• The incumbent evaluates the Veteran's situation - abilities - and capabilities - and arrives at a reasonable conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and prioritization for admission
• B
• Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses The incumbent is responsible for the assessment - identification - facilitation and referral to appropriate medical and psychiatric services to those Veterans identified as appropriate for the HUD-VASH program
• The incumbent evaluates the Veteran's situation - abilities - and capabilities - and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and prioritization for admission
• C
• Plans Effective Treatment The incumbent develops mental health recovery treatment plans - actively involving the Veteran and their family or significant others - in coordination with interdisciplinary team members - based on the psychosocial assessments - including goals for clinical treatment
• Makes adjustments to the psychosocial treatment plan and interventions based on changing needs and response to interventions
• Initiates and effects changes in methods and interventions to promote efficient practice and improve patient outcomes
• D
• Implements Treatment Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations having responsibilities for the same patient population
• Maintains a current and productive network of referral resources
• Makes provision for referral services from other agencies - community resources - and other Governmental agencies to resolve problems or support continued transition to independence
• E
• Direct Services The incumbent provides direct mental health and substance abuse services for Veterans and family members or significant others in support of the Veteran's treatment
• Gives advice - guidance - emotional support and other assistance and provides individual and group counseling services as well as crisis management services needed to maintain the Veteran safely in their residence
• F
• Evaluation - Education - Supervision - Coaching - and Mentoring The incumbent establishes a continuing relationship with the Veteran - evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate
• The incumbent meets Veterans to assess accomplishments and re-establish goals and monitors Veteran's progress - maintains comprehensive documentation - ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders - and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment
• G
• Attends applicable VISN and National Homeless Programs calls
• Works with VA Medical Center multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering healthcare services to homeless Veterans both at Central Iowa VA Health Care System - and in the community
• H
• Outreach The incumbent regularly conducts and participants in outreach activities including field interviews - assessments and referrals for homeless Veterans contacted in the community - shelters - and "on the streets -" as well as those who are referred by VA residential programs - medical centers or outpatient clinics
• The incumbent maintains current and establishes new relationships with other community-based service providers for the homeless - and when appropriate - represents VA at community service provider meetings
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: 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 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized