Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

Social Work Position

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Screening/Assessment - The social worker will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. The incumber must have understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric veteran.
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan, and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. The treatment plan will be completed by the patient's third visit for mental health services. The plan will be updated every year as required by the Mental Health Service Line policies, or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs.
• Treatment/Therapy - The social worker is responsible for providing appropriate evidence based treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. The social worker will utilize the support of the social work supervisor to staff cases as necessary and will seek referrals to specialized clinicians when appropriate.
• Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment, the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker.
• Resource Usage/Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs to refer the veteran to needed services.
• Advocacy - The social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
• Crisis Intervention - The social worker makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 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)

Parental Leave: 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.

Child Care Subsidy: 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.

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

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

Telework: Available (Ad-hoc)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

EDRP: Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required