Senior Social Worker (BHIP)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student‑loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements according to VHA policy and submitted an 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 a complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications United States citizenship is required. Non‑citizens may only be appointed when no qualified U.S. citizens are available. English language proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: A master’s degree in Social Work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree. Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. Licensure/Certification: Persons hired for the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to practice social work at the master’s degree level. Current state requirements can be found at Advanced practice: Senior Social Workers (GS‑12) must have at least two years of experience post–advanced practice licensure, with at least one year meeting GS‑11 grade level requirements. They must also be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level or be grandfathered by a state, except for California, which administers its own advanced practice clinical examination. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Expertise in specialized interventions, advanced level psychosocial and/or case management, complex differential diagnosis, outcome evaluation, specialized consultation, policy development, and providing evidence‑based psychotherapeutic interventions. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services. Duties Provide a full range of psychosocial assessment services and psychiatric diagnoses of mental disorders, particularly for complex or difficult patients in diverse treatment settings. Deliver education to patients, family members, and significant others. Conduct evidence‑based individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Supervise interns and post‑doctoral fellows in behavioral health and social service areas to achieve recovery program objectives. Collaborate with professional staff within the VA Medical Center and community providers regarding clinical assessment findings and treatment plans. Develop, implement, and document psychotherapeutic treatment plans for assigned caseloads, including timely completion of clinical reminders. Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area using outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and system design. Operate independently at the VA Medical Center, assuming full professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Lead program promotion of social work services as a key component of treatment. Participate in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, and other means of ongoing practice evaluation. Maintain professional standards of treatment and facilitate liaison with other medical center programs to coordinate services. Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health‑care screenings and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Attend and participate in administrative and informational meetings as assigned. Coordinate Telehealth and Modern Telehealth (TMH) clinic operations, profiles, and services. Provide teaching on selected mental health topics to community organizations, and lead in‑service training, staff development, and continuing education for assigned social work staff. Perform additional duties as assigned. Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Contact the EDRP Coordinator (View email address on click.appcast.io) for questions or assistance. Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary with potential for a higher step rate based on unique qualifications or special needs of the VA. Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid leave per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays. Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child‑care subsidy: Up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance programs. Telework: Not available. This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs