Senior Social Worker (VA Liaison for Healthcare)

Summary

The VA Syracuse Healthcare System's Social Worker Service is seeking an experienced VA Liaison for Healthcare Social Worker. The primary role of the VA Liaison is to ensure the transfer of health care, both inpatient and outpatient, from the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) at Fort Drum Base, NY to the appropriate VA health care facility. The VA Liaison is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.

Duties

There is a nationally recognized initiative to seamlessly transition the health care of injured and ill Servicemembers and Veterans from the Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The initiative is led by the VA Central Office, Care Management and Social Work Services, Office of Patient Care Services (10P4C). The VA Liaison for Healthcare (hereinafter referred to as VA Liaison) is seen as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) representative to the military installation and must represent the VA in all aspects of patient care, transfer and outreach. The VA Liaisons must work on-site at the MTF with staff, Servicemember(s), families, Caregivers, and Veterans to ensure priority access to needed health care services and education regarding VHA benefits. Servicemembers and Veterans returning from combat theaters may have severe and complex illnesses and injuries, minor illnesses and injuries, and mental health needs. Although the VA Liaisons must report administratively to the VA health care facility closest to the MTF, they must report programmatically to the VHA Care Management and Social Work Services, Office of Patient Care Services (10P4C). Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Working closely with the MTF treatment team as an independent practitioner; using advanced practice skills and expertise to provide ongoing consultation regarding complex discharge planning issues; and VA health care benefits, resources and facilities. This requires an intimate knowledge of VHA programs and services nationwide, and the ability to match Veterans' needs with appropriate resources. Developing relationships and collaborating with the MTF social workers, nurses, case managers, managed care staff, and discharge planners to identify Servicemembers and Veterans ready for discharge to a VA health care facility and to obtain clear referral information and authorization for VHA to treat those still on active duty. This referral needs to: Include the MTF Medical Records; VA Referral Form (entitled Military Treatment Facility Referral Form to VA Liaison); Admission Sheet; Clinical and Consult Orders; or other authorization for VHA to provide services and bill TRICARE or other appropriate entity through a VA-DOD Sharing Agreement. Clearly identify the Servicemember's/Veteran's health care and psychosocial needs, and include requests for VHA health care services to ensure Clinical and Consult Orders or authorizations, specifying which VHA services are authorized and are completed prior to the transfer of any Servicemember(s)/Veteran(s) to a VA health care facility. Meeting with the Servicemember/Veteran and family to provide education and an overview of VA health benefits and resources, and to address current medical and psychosocial issues identified as part of the Servicemember's/Veteran's treatment plan. In collaboration with the MTF treatment team, the Liaison must use advanced clinical skills to assess the Servicemember/Veteran and family's psychosocial situation, their ability to comprehend and comply with VA's treatment plan determined by the MTF staff, and any special needs of the Servicemember/Veteran and family that may impact reaching optimal psychosocial functioning. Coordinating with the VA Liaison's home VA health care facility Enrollment Coordinator and Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) Team, to initially register active duty Servicemembers or enroll Veterans at their facility utilizing the referral information. Registering active duty Servicemembers and enrolling Veterans in the VA computer system eases transfer of care to the VA health care facility. Collaborating with MTF social workers, nurses and case managers to identify the VA health care facility where care will be transferred to an accepting physician at that facility. To ensure ease of registration or enrollment procedures, information is transmitted using Patient Data Exchange (PDX) or Network Health Exchange (NHE) from the VA Liaison's facility to the identified receiving VA health care facility. Identifying and communicating with the M2VA Program Manager and Lead Coordinator, if applicable, at the receiving VA health care facility to initiate and process referrals and linkages for transfers of care. NOTE: Regular onsite collaboration and coordination is critical to provide effective consultative services with the referral, linkage, education, and assessment functions. The provision of direct services may be necessary to enhance the communication and relationship with Servicemembers/Veterans and their families. Performs other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Mon to Fri 7:30am -4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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/. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. 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). NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. Creditable Experience. The candidate must have knowledge of current professional social work practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and edu