Senior Social Worker (Clinical Assessor)

Job Title

GS-12 Social Worker (Clinical Assessor)

Duties

The GS-12 Social Worker (Clinical Assessor) requires advanced knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for veterans and caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources. As an independently licensed clinical social worker, the Clinical Assessor will be assigned to work independently with multiple VA healthcare services and with community agencies, leaders and organizations with no access to direct clinical supervision. Duties include but, not limited to: The Social Worker (Clinical Assessor) is assigned to the Caregiver Support Program. This position is primarily responsible for assessing a veteran's functional needs, including the need for personal care services using standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility. The incumbent will assess veterans needs for personal care services, particularly Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), supervision, protection or instruction, working closely with the Caregiver Support Program Coordinator(s) and/or designee(s), to complete veteran functional assessments and re-assessments. The Clinical Assessor will conduct initial home assessments as part of the application or reassessment process for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The purpose of these home visits is to assess for functional and mobility needs and safety as well as to assess need for personal care services using standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility. The Clinical Assessor assists in the day-to-day operations of the Caregiver Support Program specific to his/her area of assignment and ensures compliance and collaboration with local facility and the VA Central Office Caregiver Support Program initiatives. The Clinical Assessor participates in face-to-face or virtual contact with the caregiver and veteran to assess function and the need for personal care services, and as needed, the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions. The Clinical Assessor will utilize and assist in maintaining a data monitoring system to measure the efficacy of the program and assists in collecting and analyzing local data for reports for: local management, VISN Caregiver Support Program Leads, Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams, the National Caregiver Support Program, Care Management and Social Work and Office of Patient Care Services. Evaluates program progress and outcomes and utilizes data to continuously modify and improve the program, processes, and use of a standardized assessment instrument. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues. Creates educational tools, develops programs and implements training focused on specific caregiver needs/issues. Provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees, veterans, families and caregivers. Provides ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support. Develops and facilitates caregiver support groups (face-to-face or virtual) and educational programs. Distributes educational materials provided by VA, local, state and national caregiver organizations. The Clinical Assessor conducts veteran, caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social needs as treatment issues. Utilizes professional judgment, including the knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior, is an inherent competency applied in daily interactions with caregivers and the veterans they care for.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00am-4:30pm. Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Telework: This is an onsite position with ad-hoc telework when it meets the needs of the Social Work Service Department Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09847F