Social Worker (HUD/VASH Case Manager)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, SC seeks a Social Worker to support the HUD VASH program, conduct psychosocial assessments, and coordinate housing and services for veterans and families. This role requires an MSW, state licensure, and strong counseling abilities.

The position is full-time, on-site with standard hours, and offers Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and adherence to VA policies are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• MSW from CSWE-accredited program.
• Licensure or certification to independently practice social work.
• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and formulate treatment plans.
• Experience providing counseling to veterans and families.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for HUD VASH program operations.
• Coordinate housing vouchers and services with housing authorities.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Provide social work consultation to staff and patients.
• Maintain documentation and program indicators; ensure compliance.

Skills

Counseling skills

Psychosocial assessment

Crisis intervention

Communication with clients

Team collaboration

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

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
• 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 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/
• 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) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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 (Full Performance Level) 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 - 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 - 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
• Preferred Experience: Homeless Experience - Case Manager Experience - and/or Community Provider Experience
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.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)
• 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-9 to GS-11
• *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.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major duties include - but are not limited to: Serves as one of the Medical Center's primary point of contact for the national HUD VASH Program - Office of Mental Health Services and VACO
• Ensures that the program is run in accordance with the National HUD VASH Program - Office of Mental Health Services and VACO directives and helps develop policies and procedures to govern the program at the Columbia VAMC
• Responsible for data collection - record keeping - and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators - thresholds - and performance measurements
• Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations and directly coordinates with the designated PHA regarding housing voucher application and award process for each Veteran
• Develops and serves as the team member for the screening procedures to involve a multidisciplinary team approach and is responsible to ensure criteria and procedures are maintained
• Provides primary input for program participant selection based on structured interviews and clinical assessments
• Responsible for coordination of emergent and temporary housing opportunities and services under the guidance of the Supervisory Program Specialist for the HCHV/CWT/HUD-VASH
• Interfaces with colleagues from other VA facilities in order to ensure efficiently coordinated services to those members of the VISN - as well as the local community - including shelters
• Provides social work consultation to other professional staff both inpatient and outpatient
• Assumes other general social work responsibilities and duties in the HUD VASH Program as assigned by the HUD VASH Supervisory Social Worker - HCHV Program Manager and/or designee
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F.S.# 61288F
• F.S.# 61265F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized