Social Worker

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

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The James J Peters VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a full-time Social Worker located in the Bronx , New York. The Social Worker functions as the Social Worker- Outreach and is located within the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program within the Community Support Services Program located in the Social Work Service Line. The Social Worker independently performs duties and responsibilities by providing a high level of professional social work services to clients with a broad range of psychosocial and environmental problems. At this level the social worker exercises mature professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of social work skills and techniques in working with clients on a regular basis having serious problems and presenting with complicated cases. Duties of the position include but are not limited to the following: Performs social work duties specifically directed toward homeless Veterans and their families. Independently provides clinical, psychosocial and short-term case management services for eligible Veterans and their family members. Provides education to residents, interns and other in-training staff on the role of social work and housing resources in the community. The social worker utilizes a variety of theories and models, which are selected, integrated and adapted to the given client biopsychosocial situation. Provides community based outreach and short-term case management services to literally homeless, at risk for homeless and/or unstably housed Veterans and their family, consistent with the goals and methods of the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. Outreach to Veterans may occur in shelter and/or unsheltered living (temporary/unfit structures). The Social Worker possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to independently complete a psychosocial assessment as required in the Social Work Service Line documentation policy. Creates initial treatment plans, updated treatment plans and discharge summaries as clinically indicated. The resulting treatment plan is developed within the time frames designated by the program. Provides care within the framework established by National HCHV Directives and collaborates and consults with other interdisciplinary treatment teams to promote and enhance Veteran care. Provides short-term case management, which includes: frequent, direct contacts with Veterans to assess veteran's situation, medical and psychiatric stability, abilities and capabilities, provide therapy and support with the goal of maintaining housing, increased contact frequency in times of crisis, flexible Veteran contact, and focusing on strengthening the Veteran's ability to address acute and chronic problems independently. Coordinates ongoing assessment, education, coaching, counseling, referral and advocacy. Transports veterans to interviews at various sites in the community to seek housing other community-based services. The incumbent may also provide individual/family psychotherapy and group therapy as applicable. The Social Worker has general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, non-service connected pension. The Social Worker also facilitates referrals to service both within and outside of the VA, based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday: 8am- 4:30PM EST Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-9-75079 /// GS-11 -75078 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Qualifications

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: a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. b. 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. c. 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/. 1. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.] (2) Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. (3) Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of