Community Living Center (CLC) Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Living Center Social Worker provides a vast array of professional services to the veteran population residing in the VA Maryland Health Care System's Community Living Centers (CLC). Services include provision of high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, supportive services to veterans and/or their family members/significant others, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers / agencies, as needed, by the client. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of veterans as they transition from the Community Living Center (CLC) to appropriate placement alternatives. This is accomplished in collaboration with members of the assigned interdisciplinary treatment team(s), as appropriate. The social worker will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. Demonstrates and understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, substance abuse issues and age associated illnesses and conditions. The Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran and family members/caregiver. The initial psychosocial assessment, as well as reassessments, will be completed, as specified by the policy for the assigned work area. In addition, a resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) is completed on each resident scheduled for an initial or quarterly Interdisciplinary Treatment Team review. The ITT meets weekly to review those Veterans that are scheduled for review. Review dates depend upon date of original admission to the CLC. Residents are also reviewed for significant changes in their treatment plan. The Social Worker is responsible for developing knowledge regarding VA and community social service programs and utilizing this knowledge to the benefit of veterans. The Social Worker will refer the veteran to needed services. The Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible, the Social Worker will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. The Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective unit and the facility at the Perry Point or BRECC site.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• 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 forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level (for GS-11 and above).
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling.
• Demonstrate ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate/implement a treatment plan.
• Demonstrate ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups.
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies.
• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• For GS-11: Completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in health care or other social work-related settings, and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
• For GS-11 (alternative): A doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• For GS-11: Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11: Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions.
• For GS-11: Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures to formulate a treatment plan.
• For GS-11: Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities.
• For GS-11: Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, students, and other staff.

Nice To Haves

• Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and proposed new policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and supportive services to veterans and/or their family members/significant others.
• Coordinate linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies.
• Assess and treat complicated psychosocial problems of veterans transitioning from the CLC to appropriate placement alternatives.
• Develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, veteran, family members, and significant others.
• Contribute to the development of the treatment plan and set achievable treatment goals with the veteran and family members/caregiver.
• Complete initial psychosocial assessments and reassessments as specified by policy.
• Complete a resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) on each resident scheduled for an initial or quarterly Interdisciplinary Treatment Team review.
• Develop knowledge regarding VA and community social service programs and utilize this knowledge to the benefit of veterans.
• Refer veterans to needed services.
• Act as an advocate for veterans and family members/caregiver when appropriate and feasible.
• Educate and encourage veterans to advocate on their own behalf.
• Make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans.
• Follow unit and facility protocols in the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Federal employee benefits (range of benefits designed to make a federal career rewarding)
• Annual (vacation) leave accrual based on years of federal service
• Potential for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level