Senior Social Worker (HUD-VASH)

About the position

This position is for a Senior Social Worker HUD-VASH Case Manager. 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. The primary goal of HUD-VASH is to move veterans and their families out of chronic homelessness. The primary component of the program is VA case management services, designed to improve veteran's health and mental health.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and participates in outreach activities including field interviews and assessments for homeless veterans identified by the Homeless Outreach team in the community, shelters, and 'on the streets,' as well as those who are referred by VA residential programs, medical centers or outpatient clinics.
• Evaluates the veteran's situation, abilities, and history in a collaborative and recovery-oriented manner and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability, case management needs, and prioritization factors for admission.
• Reviews all subjective and objective data and makes a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths.
• Provides a concise summary of the veteran's history of homelessness, case management needs, and eligibility factors as well as any additional supports to enhance the veteran's ability to safely living independently in the community to the HUD-VASH Determination Committee.
• Develops psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the veteran and their family or significant others, in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on the psychosocial assessments, with goals focused on obtaining/sustaining permanent housing and addressing identified challenges to becoming and remaining permanently housed.
• Makes initial and continuing decisions coordinating the veteran's care through linking and referral to VA medical facilities or Regional Offices and other VA and non-VA services.
• Provides direct mental health and substance abuse services for veterans and family members and/or counsels significant others in support of the veteran's treatment.
• Explains veteran's treatment and progress to third parties as appropriate and manages the quality control and evaluation of the professional services provided.
• Responsible for data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient clinical indicators for each of the veterans assigned to him/her on their caseload as well as being familiar with all the veterans in the incumbent's team.
• Documents independently in the electronic medical record, including psychosocial assessments, individual service or treatment plans, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referral.
• Provides orientation for interdisciplinary team members and conducts staff development programs for CVAMC staff and in the community as needed.
• Serves as a mentor to other mental health staff, particularly those at the entry level or who are new to HUD-VASH.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Nice-to-haves

• Minimum of 2 years full-time experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Childcare subsidy for eligible employees after 60 days of employment.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance.