The Social Worker (HUD VASH) Independently performs case finding functions, outreach, discharge planning, identifying, and screening patients for psychosocial needs, mental health, alcohol, tobacco and substance use disorders, for Veterans at-risk or experiencing homelessness. The Social Worker serves as a primary point of contact with the partnering local Public Housing Authority and coordinates with community partners that serve those at-risk or experiencing homelessness.

Duties

Independently conducts psychosocial assessments and facilitates discharge plans conducive to the needs of the Veteran and family Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team Possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions Coordinates community-based services including community residential care, assisted living and community nursing home placement for vulnerable Veterans, including information and referral for additional services from VA programs Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause, as well as, the presenting complaint, and coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members Possesses working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnosis, disabilities, and treatment procedures Possesses knowledge of Advance Care Planning, as it relates to Advance Directives and End of Life Planning Engages in and completes Goals of Care discussions based on the needs of the Veteran Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families Independently works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills Routinely engages in individual counseling with the Veteran as clinically indicated Performs accountability functions; documents all contacts with patients/families in the electronic medical record, and completes statistical and other reports in accordance with, VISN and Medical Center and service policies Responsible for improving professional skills, participating in planning, and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested 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 a treatment plan Possesses general knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility Responds to customers in a timely manner Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately Possesses working knowledge and skill in the use of word processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA, and effective action is taken on recommendations Aware of medical center, service, and program specific performance metrics and monitors and assists with meeting established standards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00a - 4:30pm Functional Statement #: F00421 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. 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. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). Grade Determination: GS-9: Experience, Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. At the GS-9 level, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) 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.(c) 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. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) 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: Specialized Experience: 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. 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 candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. Licensure: GS-9 - Must become licensed or certified at the independent level within three years of appointment. GS-11 - Must have a license or certification in a state at the independent practice level. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center One Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30901 US
• Name: Reginald Young
• Phone: 704-638-9000
• Email: [email protected]