This Social worker position is located within the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program within the Community Support Services Program Locates in the Social Work Service Line. The incumbent independently provides clinical, psychosocial and short-term case management services for eligible Veterans and their family members.

Duties

Duties includes, but not limited to: Outreach - The incumbent provides community-based outreach and short-term case management services to literally homeless, at risk for homeless and /or unstably housed Veterans and their families, consistent with the goals and methods of the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. Outreach to veterans may occur in shelter and /or unsheltered living (temporary/unfit structures). Work assignments will take place at off site locations, and the incumbent must have thorough familiarity with outreach techniques and the ability to develop new techniques in reaching this population. Assessment - As part of the interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to independently complete a psychosocial assessment as required in the Social Work Service Line documentation policy. The psychosocial and/or other service through interviews with the veteran, family members/significant others and/or other service providers whenever possible and with the Veteran's permission. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, psychosocial assessment is part of the overall team assessment of the veteran, which forms the basis of a comprehensive treatment plan. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker creates initial treatment plans, updated treatment plans and discharge summaries as clinically indicated. The resulting treatment plan is developed within the time frames designated by the program. Ongoing reassessments and updates of the treatment plans are completed as necessary due to the changing needs of the veteran, accomplishments of preliminary goals and /or development of new goals and improvement of mental health status. Provision of Clinical Services - The Social Worker provides care within the framework established by National HCHV Directives and collaborates and consults with other interdisciplinary treatment teams to promote and enhance Veteran care. The Social Worker provides short-term care management, which includes frequent, direct contacts with Veterans to assess veteran's situation, medical and psychiatric stability, abilities, and capabilities, provide therapy and support with the goal of maintaining housing, increased contact frequency in times of crisis, flexible Veteran contact, and focusing on strengthening the Veteran's ability to address acute and chronic problems independently. The incumbent will coordinate ongoing assessment, education, coaching, counseling, referral, and advocacy. Documentation - The Social Worker documents the veterans progress as well as any services provided via electronic progress notes. The Social Worker documents veterans contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information is entered in a complete, timely, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the veteran is shared with other VA staff. This information is reviewed and updates on a regular basis. All statistical information is entered electronically according to established time frames. Referrals to Service Providers - The Social Worker has general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension. The Social Worker also facilitates referrals to servicers both within and outside of the VA, bases upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. The incumbent collaborates with other members of the HCHV team including VA Supportive Housing (VASH Program, Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) and safe Haven Program. Coordinates treatment and communicates with other services to facilitate care of Veterans. The Social Worker will also participate in peer review, in-service training, case conferences and other organizational activities such as process improvement activities, alternate level of care monitoring and reporting, and other program assessment and statistics and deemed necessary to review and improve their overall work performance and to enhance the Social Work Service Line. Administrative Responsibilities - The Social Worker attends all administrative and programmatic meetings. The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline. He/she may perform other duties as assigned by the Chief and Assistant Chief of Social Work and CSS Manager when needed and appropriate. This may include coverage responsibilities in the absence of other staff to ensure that the veterans receive services as required and that the program continues to function as needed. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 38383F

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: 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). 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 3 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/ Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment 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). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grandfathering Provision. 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 for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. 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, (VA or non VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. 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, candidates 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, 7 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Full Performance Level. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Driver's License Required: Valid, clean state Driver's License Incumbent must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license for this position. NOTE: Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of your interview.

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 Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Nyssa Lewis
• Phone: 757-778-1642
• Email: [email protected]