Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Duties
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Social Worker independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible Veterans and their family members, to address biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Veterans treated are primarily from the John J. Pershing catchment area. Their health care and psychosocial needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. Services are provided at the John J. Pershing VAMC and in the community. The incumbent interacts not only with patients, but also family members, significant others, community agencies, and other staff. Social Worker GS-0185-11 A. Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments: Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact on functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. Interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. Reviews and evaluates data, subjective and objective, to identify needs and strengths, using advanced clinical skill and insight. B. Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses: Independently evaluates the client's situation and response to stressors, and arrives at reasoned conclusions. Uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make psychosocial diagnoses and assess at-risk factors, developing preliminary disposition plans with the Veteran and significant others. Performs insightful assessments of serious and complicated cases, including those involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional recommendations for agency action, recognizing the serious consequences to the Veteran. C. Plans Effective Treatment: Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and sets clinical goals. Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA resources and referrals, based on initial assessment and likelihood of acceptance. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team regarding courses of treatment. Coordinates screening of patients for specific mental health programs and provides ongoing treatment per guidelines. Makes decisions that may have significant impact on the Veteran's life, such as long-term placement or separation from family, drawing on advanced practice skills and professional judgment. D. Implements Treatment: Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/significant others in support of treatment. Offers advice, guidance, emotional support, and counseling services, including psychotherapy when appropriate. Assists Veterans in problem-solving, evaluates situations realistically, explores alternatives, and utilizes resources for resolution. Organizes community services and develops/coordinates procedures for use by related staff. Maintains a productive network of referral resources and makes provisions for additional services. Applies professional judgment and advanced practice skills in daily interactions with Veterans, particularly those with complex situations and histories of noncompliance. E. Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring Establishes ongoing relationships with Veterans, evaluates progress, and updates treatment plans. Documents psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow-up, and referral in the medical record (paper/electronic). Explains treatment and progress to stakeholders as appropriate. Manages quality control and evaluates the effectiveness of services provided. Devises methods and evaluates data to determine treatment effectiveness. Directs and coordinates clinical and psychosocial services, ensuring overall effectiveness and modifying services to best meet Veterans' needs. Coordinates Social Work services with other treatment program offerings to ensure complementarity and comprehensiveness. Provides case management services to Veterans at high social or medical risk, serving as liaison to other programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Bargaining Unit: Yes Telework: Adhoc Telework Only as Needed.
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 pre-employment physical examination. 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
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/.
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.