DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES

For Veterans and those who care for them.

Address:
Arizona State Veterans' Home - Yuma
6051 East 34th Street
Yuma, Arizona 85365

Salary: Up to $55,000/Year (DOE) 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: May 26, 2024

The Arizona State Veterans' Home in Yuma is on the hunt for a committed Social Worker to enhance the lives of the veteran residents. Does this sound like something you are looking for? Apply Today!
The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services seeks a compassionate and dedicated Social Worker to join our skilled nursing facility team at the State Veterans' Home in Yuma. This role is perfect for a professional passionate about enhancing veterans' lives through expert social work services. If you are driven by a mission to improve our esteemed veterans' mental and psycho-social well-being, we encourage you to apply. This position offers the chance to significantly impact the lives of those who have served in an environment that values your growth and well-being.
As a Social Worker in our facility, you will manage a specific caseload of veterans, focusing on their mental and psycho-social needs. You will be integral in assessing, planning, and coordinating the care of each client to ensure compliance with federal, state, and VA regulations and our facility's policies.
Your Impact:

• Caseload Management: Maintain and oversee a caseload of veterans; complete assessments, Minimum Data Set (MDS) care planning, and documentation as per regulations.
• Psychiatric Coordination: Coordinate psychiatric services through interdisciplinary care plans, initiating referrals and monitoring treatments as necessary.
• Support and Counseling: Assist residents with institutional life adjustments and family interactions concerning aging and disease processes.
• Educational Support: Educate residents and families on Medicare guidelines, assist with insurance applications, and ensure delivery of Medicare notices as federal law requires.
• Discharge Planning: Coordinate safe and effective discharge planning, communicating with all stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively participate in facility meetings, training sessions, and the implementation of the Arizona Management System (AMS) to achieve continuous improvement and efficiency.

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful Mission: Provide high-quality, comprehensive care to veterans and directly contribute to their mental and social well-being.
• Professional Development: We believe in your potential and offer career growth and development opportunities within a supportive team Environment. This is not just a job, but a chance to grow and excel in your career as a social worker.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value your dedication and hard work. Enjoy competitive benefits that reflect our appreciation for your contribution and the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of veterans.

As a Social Worker you will:

• Maintain a caseload of assigned Veterans/Members; completes assessments, MDS (Minimum Data Set), care planning and other relevant documentation in accordance with applicable regulations and facility policies and procedures; reviews and follows up on physician orders involving psychiatric treatment; coordinates psychiatric services through the interdisciplinary care plan team and initiates referrals for psychiatric services as needed; monitors and documents resident activities involving care and behaviors.
• Assist residents through referral and counseling for problems associated with institutional life; works with family members in helping the resident adjust to the regimen of the facility and to issues regarding the disease and aging process.
• Monitor Medicare notices to ensure timely delivery to beneficiaries per federal law; educates residents and families on Medicare guidelines and standards and assists with insurance applications (e.g. Medicaid).
• Coordinate discharge planning to ensure that it is safe and communicated effectively to all involved stakeholders.
• Attend and actively participates in clinical, department and facility meetings; gathers and presents data/ information; prepares reports upon request; attends in-service training; learns, implements and monitors Arizona Management System (AMS) methods, and utilizes AMS concepts and tools for problem solving and continuous work/process improvements and efficiencies.
• Work with Veterans/Members, families and staff to ensure Veterans/Members are treated in accordance with Resident Rights (grievances, preferences, etc.) according to regulations.

Knowledge of:

• Rules and regulations of facility
• Community resources
• Governmental policies and programs that affect clientele
• Long term care standards at state and federal levels
• Geriatric population, geriatric process, and psychiatric issues affecting the care of vulnerable adults
• Sensitivity to cultural differences of diverse populations
• Purpose and operations of the MDS system
• Basic human needs, theories of social psychology and family relationships
• Medical terminology
• Side effects of psychotropic medication
• Long term care billing and standards, and federal and state survey standards
• Physical and chemical restraints

Skills in:

• Verbal and written communication
• Using a computer and associated software (e.g., Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite- Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.)
• Case management
• Employment of resources in meeting Veteran/Member needs
• Program planning
• Organization and time management
• Problem solving
• Clinical reasoning

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels
• Perform resident assessments and develop care plans
• Utilize the facility's IT program and maintain and record assessments and care plans
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality

• Preferred candidate will have previous experience working with geriatric/dementia populations.
• Licensure from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health is preferred but not required.

• Requires a Bachelor’s, or higher, degree in Social Work
• Requires the ability to obtain and retain a valid AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Current Negative TB skin test (Mantoux skin test) within the last twelve months or a written statement from a physician, physician’s assistant or a registered nurse practitioner indicating freedom from Tuberculosis, if in the past has had a positive skin test or Tuberculosis

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Referral Incentives available for qualifying positions
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Human Resources at recruiting@azdvs.gov and 602.781.7032 for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.