The Social Worker in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program in Social Work Service at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania VA Medical Center (WB VAMC) provides services to Veterans with Substance Use disorders enrolled in VA Supportive Services for Veterans and Families program. The incumbent provides outreach, assessments, referrals and case management services to homeless veterans identified in the community. 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. 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 of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11 Level Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of 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, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR; Education: In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Altoona VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies. ["Interviews potential clients, confirms eligibility, completes psychosocial assessment, and interprets and explains the VA's Treatment and benefits programs. Conducts community outreach to Homeless Veterans programs to receive referrals from the SSVF programs for Veterans identified with SUD conditions to facilitate referrals into Specialty SUD programs. Conducts psychosocial assessments and suicide risk assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members. Actively participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines within SUD and Homeless Programs. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Provides individual, family, and group counseling as appropriate. Provides consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources, Advance Directives and VA benefits. Acts as a consultant to other team/staff members. Provides consultation/education to medical residents on social work practice and VA policy and procedure. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. Provides case management to veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. Provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes case work, individual, family and group counseling, discharge planning, case management, and other services as appropriate. Addresses Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with the standards of their work area. Provides wellness/prevention education and facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate. As appropriate, supervises the practice of social work students, or a less experienced social worker. Coordinates treatment and communicates with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for veterans. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission (JC), VA, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), medical center policy and procedures. Assists patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness, and death. Documents assessments, referrals, admissions in Homeless Operation Management and Evaluation System (HOMES); documents social work interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to ensure appropriate hand-off when transferring of patient care. Completes National Call Center for Homeless Veteran hotline calls and documents in the patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS. Assists Veteran with completion of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Coordinated Entry. Participates in a rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends. Performing other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
