Social Work Associate

This position is located in the Behavioral Health Care Line in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DRRTP) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in Bath, NY. The primary purpose of the Social Services Associate is to facilitate Veteran entry into DRRTP program, or referral to community agencies, so professional staff can triage their unique behavior, medical, substance abuse, PTSD, or homelessness needs.

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS
To apply for this position, you must have the following qualifications:

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration.

The SPF for this position is: Certification in basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and (Automated External Defibrillator (AED). (Copy of Certificate Required)

~AND~

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Basic Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in major fields of study such as: social welfare, sociology, psychology, public administration, philosophy, education, anthropology, history, economics and/or English. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

-AND-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience as a social welfare worker or social work assistant in voluntary, public, social, or health agency. The experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the next lower grade in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: managing the day-to-day intake screening process for a rehabilitation treatment program: collecting required intake data (e.g., demographics, physical location and living situation, hospitalization history, etc.) and information necessary to determine program eligibility; communicating by telephone and electronic means with the patients/their family, clinicians/medical staff, and other officials affiliated with the program based on the individual's needs; assisting clients and referral agents by connecting and referring them to agency resources, community resources, or other social resources;
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Responsibilities:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major duties and responsibilities will include:

• Manages and tracks the entire intake screening process and manages a database of information pertinent to the screening process.
• Receives and tracks all screening consultations until they are completed
• Tracks and ensures intake screening appointments are scheduled through the centralized scheduling department and admissions are scheduled and prioritized based on patient needs.
• Receives and assembles all screening packets and ensures all required information is obtained.
• Provides follow up to patients regarding status of screening committee decisions, if approved utilizes internal systems to coordinate admission.
• Manages day-to-day of patient's requests
• Serves as the intake point of contact and provides case management to individuals, families, and internal and external referring agencies
• Explores needs of care for patients
• Provides consultation and education to patients, their families and referring agencies
• Serves as the primary point of contact for all referrals and inquiries during the screening process.
• Evaluates referral information and asks clarifying questions
• Documents all interactions and counselors in the internal systems and databases
• Provides telephone and written follow up to patients who no-show screening or admission appointments, or who are deferred due to pending requirements.
• Triages the needs of patents and suggests and refers to alternative resources if appropriate
• Connecting patients with appropriate resources and guides to meet all patient needs.
• Provides para-professional counseling to patients
• Maintains regular contact with patients awaiting placement and provides non-professional counseling and guidance.
• Collects required intake data used to determine eligibility for services
• Research and provides direction in assessing resources which may be available to assist with transportation
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Full - Time, 7:30am-4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Salary : $50,460