Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Job Title

Social Worker / Mental Health Therapist for Veterans on a BHIP Team

Job Description

The Outpatient Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team-based care provides Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based care. The incumbent in this position functions as a Social Worker / Mental Health Therapist for Veterans on a BHIP team and is responsible for coordination and continuity of care for Veterans receiving services throughout the Mental Health Service (MHS). Veterans treated in Social and Behavioral Health come primarily from the Anchorage catchment area. Their health care and psychosocial problems and needs are complex and require clinical oversight and creative problem solving.

Duties

Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments & Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses

• Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment.
• Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths.
• Evaluates the client's situation, including the veteran's reaction and ability to cope with his/her life stressors and arrives at a reasoned conclusion.
• Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the veteran and family or significant others.

Plans Effective Treatment & Implements Treatment

• Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, including goals for psychosocial clinical treatment.
• Provides consultation and recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment.
• Coordinates screening of patients for provision of evidence-based therapies, referral to mental health programs, and can incorporate different strategies to address ongoing care for presenting mental health needs.
• Determines the appropriate action in collaboration with supervisor, even in instances where actions can have serious impact on the life of the veteran.
• Adjusts the psychosocial treatment plan and interventions based on changing needs and response to interventions.
• Provides clinical services to veterans and family members/significant others in support of the veteran's treatment.
• Provides individual and group therapy to patients and their families, on a regularly scheduled basis to engage in activities and/or discussion designed to improve patients' cognitive, social, emotional, vocational and/or behavioral functioning Gives advice, guidance, emotional support, and other assistance.
• Provides individual and group counseling services, including psychotherapy in some settings.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):

Authorized

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 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:

Ad Hoc Only

Virtual:

This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:

0000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized