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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Near Richmond, VA

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/19/2024.

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. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. 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. To verify that a social work degree meets the accreditation standard for a master of social work, access the CSWE website at http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations.aspx. (Copy of transcript strongly suggested to be submitted).
• Experience - Must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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.
• Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Social work Coordinators must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level (LCSW or equivalent).

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12.

Responsibilities:

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

The incumbent works for the Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, Virginia, as a direct report to the Suicide Prevention Program, and is assigned to the Mental Health Service Line. This position is responsible for coordinating the care of high-risk patients, providing case management-based services necessary to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated within the VA Medical Center, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) and/or appropriate community agencies. The incumbent conducts client interviews, produces psychosocial assessments, formulates psychosocial diagnoses, plans, and implements effective treatment plans, trains and mentors newly assigned social workers and graduate students, and coordinates and implements the Medical Center's High-Risk Flag process IAW VHA DIRECTIVE 1160.07.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.
• Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to onsite supervision such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics.
• The senior social worker collaborates with the other members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, ensures the care provided is of the highest quality.
• The senior social worker provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned social work staff.
• They serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility, VISN and national level, or in the community as deemed appropriate by the supervisor, Mental Health Social Work Supervisor, or Chief of Mental Health.
• The incumbent is also responsible for active participation in consultation with interdisciplinary treatment team meetings regarding care of Veterans identified. This may include Emergency Department, Mental Health, Intensive Case Management, Outpatient Mental Health BHIP, Primary Care, inpatient medical unit, residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs, Inpatient Mental Health, as well as other departments within the medical center and CBOCs.
• Incumbent is in contact with community organizations that benefit the wellbeing of Veteran which may include care coordination, and patient-centered care planning.
• Incumbent facilitates groups and provides group psychosocial educational support to Veterans in residential treatment, or other care settings.
• The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.
• Coordinates interdisciplinary Staff engagements for the purpose of maximizing care and collateral services and reducing risk.
• Reduce barriers to care by facilitating speedy access to services.
• Monitor outcomes and implement performance improvement using a data obtained via REACH VET, SAIL, and other clinical tools.
• Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring. Serves as senior social worker, providing immediate onsite guidance and support to junior social workers. Provides clinical supervision, orientation, and training.
• Directs activities to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and continuity of care for Veterans.
• Serves as a REACH VET Coordinator, with other assigned staff within the Suicide Prevention Program, ensuring that REACH VET identified Veterans receive the treatment model, as per VA policy, and working with the Veterans' treatment provides to educate about REACH VET, and support implementation.
• Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.
• Interprets and explains VA's treatment and benefit programs.
• Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths.
• Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight.
• Uses advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. Assesses high risk factors, acuity, and need for services.

Performs other directly related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730-1600
Telework: Ad Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Hector France (Hector.France@va.gov), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Job Summary