Social Worker - HUD-VASH Case Manager

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Citizenship – You must be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency – You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education and/or Experience Combination – You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master’s degree in Social Work. License or Certification – You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. Exception – For assignments at the GS-9 level, VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent master’s level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Grandfather Provision – A Social Worker employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (9/10/2019) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations – GS‑09 Social Worker Knowledge – Skills and Abilities: Ability to utilize a Veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans’ problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. GS‑11 Social Worker – GS‑11 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. GS‑11 Experience or Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS‑11 you must possess a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work‑related settings. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience; Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; Providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; Providing social work case management; Acting as a patient/family member/caregiver advocate with community service providers/agencies; Assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members; In collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity; Maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referrals; Or a doctoral degree in social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, coordinate services, conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for a wide variety of individuals from various socio‑economic, educational, and other backgrounds, and implement different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. 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. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties Functions as one of the Medical Center's Case Managers for VA Black Hills HCS – Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program HUD/VASH Program. The HUD/VASH program is a collaborative effort supported through HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services. The primary goal of HUD/VASH is to move Veterans and their families out of chronic homelessness. The primary component of the program is VA case management services designed to improve Veteran's health and mental health, enhancing their ability to remain stable, housed, and community‑integrated. Monitors and administers HUD Vouchers for homeless Veterans, serving as the primary contact with local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and provides case management‑based services (directly or through referral) necessary to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated with the VA medical center, community health or mental health providers, and agencies that serve homeless populations. Establishes, implements, and maintains referral and screening procedures for potential HUD/VASH Veteran participants that meet national policy as well as the needs of medical center mental health services and residential programs. Conducts and participates in outreach activities, including field interviews, assessments, and referrals for homeless Veterans. Assesses at‑risk factors and develops a preliminary plan involving the Veteran and family or significant others, and performs an insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness which may also include catastrophic medical condition, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high‑risk diagnoses. Assists Veterans in maintaining appointments at VA medical centers and other community agencies for medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, vocational, and other services consistent with Veteran's goals associated with healthful independent living. Provides advice, guidance, emotional support and other assistance, and offers individual and group counseling services as well as crisis management services needed to maintain the Veteran safely in their residence. Establishes a continuing relationship with the Veteran, evaluating progress toward goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. The incumbent meets Veterans to assess accomplishments and re‑establish goals and monitors Veteran's progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, and ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders. Driving Requirement: Incumbent will operate a government‑owned or‑leased vehicle to complete job duties and transport veterans. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not available. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 401(k) 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: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr