This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until 9/29/23, candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. The Senior Social Worker GS-12 Case Manager position provides a combination of HUD-VASH intensive case management, mental health, and substance use disorder (SUD) services to Veterans and their families residing in the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) housing at Fort Harrison. 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. ( c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Must have current valid drivers license. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Typically, the employee sits comfortably indoors to do the work. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking; standing; sitting, bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile; etc. Use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13"to 16", hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech. ["The incumbent accepts referrals for screening and admission to the program, gathers information about a Veteran's status and eligibility for VA medical care, and verifies a clinical need for program participation. The incumbent is responsible for providing case management and appropriate services for Veterans in the HUD-VASH program based on the Veteran's needs, acuity level, and preferences for care. The incumbent reassesses for changes in the Veteran's needs, acuity level and preferences for care at least quarterly. The incumbent empowers and respects the Veteran's right to self-determination while helping the Veteran identify and articulate their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for the EUL HUD-VASH team related to substance use and mental health interventions and treatment. The incumbent coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans with landlords, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), VA services, and community providers. The incumbent ensures comprehensive service delivery by linking and referring Veterans to VA and/or community services based on the Veterans needs and wants. The incumbent coordinates care of Veterans with high-acuity and high-risk mental health and behavioral factors with relevant providers in the VA and community. The incumbent utilizes Housing First, Harm Reduction, and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement and self-efficacy. The incumbent assists Veterans in the development of their self-identified goals and assists Veterans in removing barriers to achieve their stated goals. The incumbent works with Veterans to develop structure and meaningful purpose to their day. The incumbent promotes housing retention and stability. This includes but is not limited to helping Veterans understand their lease agreement, develop money management and budgeting skills, establish healthy boundaries, learn how to effectively communicate with landlords and PHAs, and navigate the recertification process as needed. The incumbent complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager. The incumbent adheres to professional ethics guidelines and completes annual ethics training. The incumbent actively participates in Homeless Program conference calls, monthly national HUD-VASH calls, and VISN calls. The incumbent develops relationships with the local Continuum of Care (CoC) and actively participates in Coordinated Entry case conference meetings. The incumbent is responsible for following local policy and SOP for the HUDVASH Program. This includes following policies and documentation requirements for CARF and Joint Commission accreditation. The incumbent takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring a culture of safety by participating in mandatory Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) training, reporting all incidents of Veteran threats, aggression or violence including those witnessed in the community and completing required safety training to include suicide risk reduction. Provides outreach services to engage homeless Veterans, especially those who are chronically homeless and are highly vulnerable. Conducts comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments to ensure appropriateness of placement into the program, determine acuity status and identify needs. Performs home/site visits of HUD-VASH residences to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Collects and submits HUD-VASH Program participant data within three business days as outlined by HOMES evaluation procedures. Documents all contacts in the Veterans CPRS file in accordance with local documentation policies. Develops an individualized Housing Stability Plan with each HUD-VASH Veteran that identifies Veteran goals using their own words and steps to achieve those goals. Assists Veterans through the voucher application process from referral to voucher issuance, helps Veterans complete application packets and assists in obtaining all necessary documentation required by the Public Housing Authority (PHA). Provides housing search assistance to include transportation to view units as needed. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 436-57679-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
