Social Worker - Homeless Veterans Program HUD-VASH

Summary

The social worker in this position functions independently as one of the Medical Centers Case Manager for Central Iowa Healthcare System for Homeless Veterans Program's HUD-VASH Program. The HUD-VASH Program is a collaborative effort supported through HUD section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. A. Interviews Veterans and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments for Referral and Treatment Planning. The incumbent is responsible for the assessment, identification, facilitation and referral to appropriate medical and psychiatric services to those Veterans identified as appropriate for the HUD-VASH program. The incumbent evaluates the Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrives at a reasonable conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and prioritization for admission. B. Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses The incumbent is responsible for the assessment, identification, facilitation and referral to appropriate medical and psychiatric services to those Veterans identified as appropriate for the HUD-VASH program. The incumbent evaluates the Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and prioritization for admission. C. Plans Effective Treatment The incumbent develops mental health recovery treatment plans, actively involving the Veteran and their family or significant others, in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on the psychosocial assessments, including goals for clinical treatment. Makes adjustments to the psychosocial treatment plan and interventions based on changing needs and response to interventions. Initiates and effects changes in methods and interventions to promote efficient practice and improve patient outcomes. D. Implements Treatment Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations having responsibilities for the same patient population. Maintains a current and productive network of referral resources. Makes provision for referral services from other agencies, community resources, and other Governmental agencies to resolve problems or support continued transition to independence. E. Direct Services The incumbent provides direct mental health and substance abuse services for Veterans and family members or significant others in support of the Veteran's treatment. Gives advice, guidance, emotional support and other assistance and provides individual and group counseling services as well as crisis management services needed to maintain the Veteran safely in their residence. F. Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring The incumbent establishes a continuing relationship with the Veteran, evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. The incumbent meets Veterans to assess accomplishments and re-establish goals and monitors Veteran's progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders, and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment. G. Attends applicable VISN and National Homeless Programs calls. Works with VA Medical Center multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering healthcare services to homeless Veterans both at Central Iowa VA Health Care System, and in the community. H. Outreach The incumbent regularly conducts and participants in outreach activities including field interviews, assessments and referrals for homeless Veterans contacted in the community, shelters, and "on the streets," as well as those who are referred by VA residential programs, medical centers or outpatient clinics. The incumbent maintains current and establishes new relationships with other community-based service providers for the homeless, and when appropriate, represents VA at community service provider meetings. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Education Requirement: 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 Requirement: 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/. 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. 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: GS-9 (Entry Level): Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certificati