Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)—a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval—including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years)—is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after application review. Former EDRP participants are ineligible. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements United States citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy. Education: Must have 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 in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work cannot substitute for the master's degree. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for qualified individuals pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations; this exception applies only at the GS‑9 grade level. For the GS‑11 grade level and above, licensure or certification is required. English language proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005‑Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria). Grade determination: GS‑9 entry‑level social worker experience, education, and licensure—none beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with veterans and family members from diverse backgrounds using counseling skills; (b) Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate treatment plans; (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities; (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. Physical requirements: Hearing (aid permitted). Only the first 50 applicants will be considered. Duties VA Careers – Social Work: The social worker will be a member of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team. This position will function as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for BHIP enrolled veterans and, under supervision, will provide individual and group psychoeducation and assist with consult management. Major duties include: serving as MHTC for a panel of BHIP enrolled veterans; completing initial suicide risk screening via C‑SSRS; making follow‑up and bridge calls; facilitating communication regarding timely appointments; providing care coordination for patients affected by staff departures; assisting with chart reviews, outreach calls, secure messages, and responding to patient requests; linking and advocating for referrals within the VA and to community resources; using measurement‑based care tools to review service use and progress; assisting with clinical reminders; tracking veterans referred to other levels of care; assisting with paperwork for disability, FLMA, and other needs; acting as liaison to the inpatient psychiatric unit; triaging BHIP enrolled veterans with unscheduled visits; seeking direction for high‑risk veterans; assisting with outreach of patients affected by provider callouts; providing psychoeducational individual and group services; completing all required clinical charting and documentation. Work schedule: Monday—Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telework is available adhoc per agency policy; this is not a virtual position. Functional statement #: 06436F/06437F. Relocation/recruitment incentives: not authorized. EDRP: authorized; former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io (EDRP Coordinator) for questions and assistance. Learn more: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized; PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO) is not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr