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.
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/. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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). Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-0185, Veterans Health Administration, dated September 10, 2019. Driver's License: Candidate must have a current state issued driver's license. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service
Major duties include but not limited to: Provide programmatic support and consultation for HUD-VASH social workers and other disciplines. Maintain a caseload and conducts regular home visits to Veterans in the program based on acuity and consistent with HUD-VASH program contact standards. Provide clinical case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, act as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies. Routinely coordinate with local, county, state, and federal agencies. Local activities include coordination of care with the Homeless Continuums of Care, community service providers, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees, local housing authorities, social service agencies, VBA, and property management companies. Coordinate with community partners on local initiatives involving services and resources for homeless Veterans seeking permanent housing. Ensure Veterans receive specialized care beyond what the VA can provide. Collaborate closely with community partners and government agencies, such as local health departments, housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations, the incumbent facilitates seamless transitions and enhances the overall well-being of Veterans. Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments with a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Develop the assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, available family/friends/caregivers and collateral sources such as CPRS, HOMES, and agencies with appropriate ROIs. Develop and implement personalized service plans, in conjunction with the Veteran, that address housing stability, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and other desired services. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, case managers, and community stakeholders, and ensure holistic care that aligns with the VA's mission to promote Veterans' recovery, independence, and quality of life. Coordinate care with internal and external providers as needed. Offer expert advice and guidance to colleagues and stakeholders, educating Veterans and their families on available resources and entitlements, and advocating for their rights and needs within the VA and broader community. Participate in Homeless Programs Office national calls and trainings and share information with the team to ensure all required aspects of the HUD-VASH Directive and other applicable initiatives are followed. Coordinate training opportunities for staff within the HUD-VASH Program to keep clinical staff updated and trained on existing and new modalities/skills related to the program. Provide ongoing training and support to HJCR staff on policy, procedure, and required documentation needed within both the HJCR and HUD-VASH Programs. Facilitate Veteran psychoeducation, monitor treatment progress, and collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care. Determine the stage of case management for each Veteran based on acuity and confirm that the multi-disciplinary team is meeting face to face with the Veteran at the frequency required by the given stage. Complete documentation requirements of the HUD-VASH program, including psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, HOMES database updates, suicide risk screenings, and other clinical screenings, as indicated. Coordinate and manage information related to HUD-VASH discharges from clinical case management to ensure that individuals who retain their HUD-VASH voucher are provided the opportunity to access assistance with recertification processes, short-term case management support, and be assessed to return to clinical case management services, should the need arise. Formulate and implement treatment plans identifying strengths, abilities, coping skills, and assistance needed. Complete psychosocial assessments and clinical screenings required per program, or VHA requirements. Make rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for Veterans when needed. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, the Senior Social Worker will follow the protocol of VASNHCS. Assess and diagnose mental health issues and coordinate care with internal and external providers to appropriately address identified needs. Complete appropriate clinical reminders and screening tools for assessing suicide risk. As appropriate, will complete Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations (CSRE) and Safety Plans. Function as a Senior HUD-VASH Social Worker and subject matter expert for the HUD-VASH program. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: This position is eligible for telework on an Ad- Hoc Basis EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more