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. 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.

Duties

Program Administration and Organization The incumbent is responsible for program oversight, monitoring and administration, serving as the primary contact with local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and providing case management-based services necessary to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated with the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Service (HCHV) and other clinical services of the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS), community health or mental health providers, and agencies that serve homeless populations. The incumbent works closely with HCHV staff and other clinical services serving homeless Veterans, residential and community care programs, and other community agencies and services to ensure that coordination between these entities is facilitated and Veterans direct care, referral, and follow up is contiguous and based on a continuum of services. The incumbent independently provides clinical, psychosocial, and case management services at an advanced practice level for eligible Veterans and their family members in the program. The incumbent is responsible for data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements. The incumbent establishes, implements, and maintains referral and screening procedures for potential HUD/VASH Veteran participants that meet national policy as well as eligibility criteria for AVAHS clinical services and programs. The incumbent regularly conducts and participates 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 and outpatient clinics, and community-based outpatient clinics. The incumbent provides referral to VA medical and mental health residential and outpatient treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non VA entitlement programs. Clinical Assessment 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. The incumbent assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan, involving the Veteran and family or significant others, and performs an insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness which may also include, catastrophic medical condition, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high risks diagnoses. Comprehensive Case Management The incumbent develops psychosocial 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. The incumbent effectively provides case management services while utilizing professional skill, objectivity, insight, advanced clinical training, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options and recognizing potential high-risk factors, acuity, and needs for services. The incumbent assists Veterans in maintaining appointments at VA medical centers and other community agencies for medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, vocational and other services consistent with Veteran's goals associated with healthful independent living. The incumbent refers Veterans to appropriate VA and other government/community services including local shelters, food banks, employment services, Veteran's benefits, and social security applications. The incumbent assists Veterans who encounter problems obtaining services from the VA and other service delivery agencies through advocacy, linking, and/or by assisting with their problem solving/social interaction skills. 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. The incumbent maintains treatment plans based on clinical assessment for each Veteran which are reviewed quarterly with updates as needed. The incumbent makes routine visits to each Veteran in residence to assess their environment and provide on-going clinical services. The incumbent demonstrates acceptance, interest, and encouragement and includes the Veteran in their course of treatment and utilizes methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that recognizes the value of the Veterans input in their care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: 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). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) 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. (COPY OF ADVANCE PRACTICE LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-12) 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: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Education and Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. (b) Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. (c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services. (d) Ability to provide staff training and development. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Preferred Experience: Experience working with homeless populations; Experience with housing References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 lbs.), moderate carrying (15 -44 lbs.), use of fingers, walking, standing, operation of motor vehicle, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, hearing (aid may be permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include working outside and inside, dry atmospheric conditions, working closely with others, and working alone.

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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Michelle Rootes
• Phone: (907)257-3713
• Email: [email protected]