Summary
The Senior Social Worker (CNH) provides clinical intervention and case management support for the CNH program in South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (STVHCS) Catchment area. The Senior Social Worker (CNH) serves as a point of contact between the nursing home and STVHCS. Through the CNH program, the Senior Social Worker (CNH) is responsible for keeping accurate track of visits and other administrative functions as needed.
Duties
The Senior Social Worker (CNH) requires knowledge of the complex needs of Veterans and families who require nursing home level of care. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides clinical oversight within their scope of practice to Veterans in the CNH program, as well as case management to high acuity Veterans within the CNH program. Utilizes knowledge of the specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness as it relates to residents of the CNH program. Uses the ability to incorporate complex multiple causations in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients, to aid in investigations of abuse, neglect or other psychosocial concerns within the facility. Incumbent accurately documents the investigation with use of Heads Up and Issues Briefs Provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the CNH program, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. The Senior Social Worker (CNH) teaches and mentors staff and students in the specialty area of practice and provides supervision for licensure. Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, and patient satisfaction as required and needed. Implements and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization in conjunction with the CNH Oversight Committee Monitors the quality of care the Veterans receive, monitors adverse events in CNH facilities and reports to the CNH Coordinator, CNH Oversight Committee, and the ACOS for Geriatric Care significant problems and concerns. Assists the CNH Coordinator in arranging onsite CNH reviews within program specified time frames and conducts annual reviews through assessment of various aspects of care and data. Establishes functional work relationships and facilitates communication regarding CNH program issues and changes with various disciplines matrixed to the CNH program. Completes thorough reviews of medical records in CPRS and from the facility, as well as interviews with Veteran and staff, to determine the underlying causes of the presenting problem(s), the interpersonal and environmental factors impacting the problem and its effect on the patient's ability and desire to comply with the treatment recommendations by the multidisciplinary team. Provides education through training or informal meetings to facility CNH staff regarding Veteran care, safety concerns and suicide evaluation. Follows STVHCS standard operating procedures for evaluating and mitigating suicide risk. Completes other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not 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, as determined by the Agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55747-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted state issued driver's license. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.