Senior Social Worker (Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment Program)

Job Title

Social Worker - Substance Use Disorders

Location

Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, Virginia

Duties

Provides assessment, diagnosis, comprehensive case management, and psychotherapy services to Veterans with substance use disorders (SUD) and opioid use disorders (OUD) engaged in outpatient substance use treatment.

Meets regularly with the program medical director to support program assessment, monitoring, and ongoing development.

Initiates and supports internal Performance Improvement (PI) projects to enhance the quality and effectiveness of services.

Functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT), delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.

Demonstrates advanced skills and experience working with medically and psychiatrically complex Veterans diagnosed with OUD, with strong knowledge of medication-assisted treatment and evidence-based therapies for substance use disorders, including but not limited to Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Enhancement, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Contingency Management, and Relapse Prevention.

Collaborates with the treatment team, VA and community health care providers, and Veterans to increase adherence to treatment plans, address co-occurring mental health conditions, and identify and resolve psychosocial barriers to recovery.

Possesses training and experience working with special populations affected by OUD, such as women, individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders, Veterans with complex pain or serious medical conditions, individuals with legal system involvement, and those with histories of trauma.

Applies knowledge of methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) regulatory and documentation requirements, as well as general mental health social work competencies, in a highly controlled and monitored pharmacotherapy environment.

Maintains familiarity with Joint Commission, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) requirements and participates in continuous survey readiness activities.

Manages and maintains program-critical databases, monitors Veteran attendance, and, in coordination with the medical director, reviews and responds to positive urine drug screen results.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:00 am -4:30 pm

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Ad-hoc telework may be available at the discretion of the Service Chief or equivalent