The incumbent in this social work position is assigned to the Housing Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD VASH) Program, a Social Work program within the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL). This program is a collaborative program with HUD, supported through HUD's Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services. The primary goal of HUD-VASH is to move Veterans out of homelessness and into permanent housing.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Plans, develops and maintains a network of relationships with community resources and other advocates for the homeless to effectively screen and identify veteran members of the homeless population. Depending upon need, the Social Worker makes VA or community based referrals, advocates for scarce resources, confirms referrals are completed and provides intensive follow-up and coordination with these agencies. Interviews potential clients, interprets VHA guidelines and eligibility requirements and completes a psychosocial history and assessment. Develops an appropriate treatment plan. Using known available resources and the initial assessment makes initial and continuing decisions regarding the services available and referrals needed. Decisions are based upon the employee's professional judgment with regards to the individual's rehabilitative potential and possible consequences of less controlled rehabilitative efforts. Documents the patient assessment and all treatment plans in accordance with the requirements of Medical Center policy and requirements of various accrediting bodies. Provides clinical services to clients. Provides guidance, emotional support and other assistance. Involves clients in individual or group counseling. Makes provision for referral services to other agency organizations, community resources, or other Governmental resources to resolve problems. Highly developed professional skills are routinely used to motivate dysfunctional clients to resume more effective control of their own life. Employs casework methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the client work towards the best way of dealing with his/her problems. Establishes a continuing relationship with the client, evaluating progress towards goals, performing follow up after referral and adjusts treatment plan when needed. Monitors client's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation, including HOMES documentation, and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment. Explains client's treatment and progress towards rehabilitation to third parties with jurisdiction, remaining unbiased in the presentation even though consequences are far-reaching and potentially permanent. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Contributes to policy formulation and participates in establishing procedures within the assigned service area. May be assigned administrative responsibilities such as National & Local data reporting, preparation for CARF surveys, and asked to carry out special projects as required. Upon occasion, when requested, the incumbent may assume the responsibilities of the Clinical Manager, HCHV Program in his/her absence. Incumbent may be required to perform case management functions within client's home community, and these functions may include transportation of patients. Incumbent may also require training and participation in dealing with violent and disruptive patients. The incumbent is responsible for the development and coordination of emergent and temporary housing opportunities and services and to ensure that these components are commensurate with the goals and objectives of the recovery model of care. The incumbent is required to reassess in an ongoing manner the changing and evolving needs of the veteran population. Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Telework: 1-2 Days per pay period may be authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: 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). Grade Determinations: GS12 Program Coordinator: Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. 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 social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Experience working with clients with mental health, substance use and housing insecurity References: VHA handbook 5005, 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Vanessa Houliston
• Phone: 725-210-2766
• Email: [email protected]