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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker (HUD-VASH) - EDRP APPROVED Near San Angelo, TX

Qualifications:

This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until March 27, 2024.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is March 27th, 2024. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written or spoken English.
• 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/. Exception: 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. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION REGARDING ALABAMA SW LICENSURE.

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 for each grade level.

GS-09: None beyond the basic requirements.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: 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, 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.

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, 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Serves as the point of contact for all inquiries regarding transition of post 9/11 Service Members and Veterans seeking health care from the facility.
• Provide administrative oversight to include planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures; developing program goals and objectives and monitoring, operating and evaluating the functioning of the program.
• Ensures all post 9/11 Service Members and Veterans are screened for the need for case management services and that those in need of nurse and/or social worker case managers are assigned accordingly particularly those who are severely injured or ill.
• Establish/maintain ongoing education for patients, agencies, stakeholders and staff to facilitate understanding of medical treatment, clinical practice
• Certification in Case Management is preferred, not required.

References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019.

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: Light lifting/carrying (under 15 lbs); Walking/Standing (up to 5 hours); Kneeling (half hour); Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability

Responsibilities:

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

The incumbent is responsible for providing case management to a caseload of Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program for the assigned location(s) of responsibility. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUDVASH placements. The incumbent performs site visits to HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.

Incumbent provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members. Incumbent maintains knowledge of Suicide Prevention policy and procedure, recognizes warning signs for suicide ideation or recent self-directed violence, and utilizes the identified screening tools to assess suicide risk.

Verifies the Veteran's status, eligibility for VA Health Care System treatment, and eligibility of program participation. Responsible for ensuring that homeless Veterans are considered as primary participants for program acceptance. The incumbent is responsible for providing HUD-VASH case management. Case management is defined as the provision of services by VA clinical staff to homeless Veterans and includes all activities to provide appropriate treatment and maintain Veterans in HUD approved stable housing.

The incumbent coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans to the Community Based Outpatient Centers, VA West Texas VA Health Care System, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies. The incumbent works with West Texas VA Health Care System multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering healthcare services to HUD-VASH Program Veterans.

Performs accountability functions such as documenting all contacts with patients/families in the medical charts and completing statistical and other reports in accordance with West Texas VA Health Care System and respective professional discipline service policies. The incumbent is responsible for collecting and submitting HUD-VASH Program participant data as outlined by NEPEC evaluation procedures.

Acts as an advocate or authorized representative in accordance to SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) in accordance and completion of the training by Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The incumbent is responsible for following local policy and SOP for the HUD-VASH Program. This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for CARF and TJC accreditation. Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct so as to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager.Actively participates in the HUD-VASH Program conference calls and attends training offered by the HUD-VASH.

Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with caseloads and identifying the need for and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences.

Takes responsibility 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. Willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or customer needs.

Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving email. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to access information in the West Texas VA Health Care System Computer System.

Effectively communicates with and utilizes community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. With few exceptions, gives evidence of having regular contact and interaction with a variety of community agencies and resources. Collaborates with a variety of community agencies and engages in problem resolution activities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Willie.Childs@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary