The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Walk-In Social Worker identifies and engages homeless Veterans and provides them with direct services and/or develops and connects homeless Veterans to the services and resources that will enable them to secure safe, affordable, quality permanent housing.

Duties

Major duties include: Provides clinical duties to include a full range of social work within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes comprehensive biopsychosocial spiritual assessments, social determinants of health screenings, Advance Directives, Goals of Care, case management, crisis intervention, risk/suicide assessments, documentation, safety planning, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, psychoeducation, resource referrals, coordination of care within SAVAHCS and community stakeholders, discharge care planning, and other services as appropriate. Provides case management for a caseload of Veterans in the HCHV Program in order to support Veterans to identifying, accessing and connecting to safe, stable housing options. Participates in discharge planning with the Veteran and internal and community stakeholders involved in Veteran's care to ensure that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Ensures warm handoffs, communication and collaboration during transitions in care for the Veteran. Provides education related to coping with health conditions, VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives and Life Sustaining Treatment options, substance use disorder treatment options, guardianship, insurance, and co-pay(s) information, etc., and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate VA staff, programs, and community resources. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), The Joint Commission, VA and medical center policy and procedures. Provides consultation, training, and education to VA staff on the role of social work, social work practices, psychosocial resources at the VA and in the community, and research pertaining to their scope of practice. Serves the Medical Center and social work profession in a variety of capacities, such as committee, unit councils, workgroups, special assignments, or other duties as assigned that are necessary to meet program goals and VA Mission. Facilitates eligibility determination by securing military discharge papers when necessary and facilitating enrollment for care with VA eligibility staff and determining HCHV eligibility in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2002 (1) and The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by S. 896 The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. Documents assessments and social work interventions and activities in VA Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) and the Veteran's Computerized Veteran Record System (CPRS). Conducts outreach activities to homeless Veterans and work collaboratively with city/county/state agencies and community stakeholders to increase resources for "on-the-street" or marginally housed Veterans. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. Tracks and monitors program activities and compiles program specific reports within timely required time frames outlined by program expectations. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected for the GS-9 grade level 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. Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Hold 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-09 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. Candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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 Experience or Education: Must possess 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, (VA or non- VA experience). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals. - OR - Possess a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work. GS-11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the licensure and experience or education for the GS-11 level, must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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: One plus year experience working with the Homeless Population is preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work include sitting, standing, walking, standing, driving, pushing equipment and wheelchairs, lifting, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self- awareness and emotional intelligence is essential. The incumbent must have a current, valid Driver's License and be able to drive a government vehicle.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Cherie Mennel
• Phone: 520-792-1450 X6213
• Email: [email protected]