Senior Social Worker - Substance Use Disorder Program

Veterans Health Administration • Fresno, CA

9d

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker provides comprehensive social work services to patients seeking care from the Substance Use Disorder Program (SUDP) and to patients accepted into its programs. The role provides services ranging from initial patient assessment through aftercare planning, and participates with other professionals in planning and implementing treatment programs for veterans with substance use disorders. The social worker coordinates services with community resources and professionals, including physicians, public officials, attorneys, and personnel from social and health agencies. The position evaluates assessments and communicates relevant results and social and emotional factors affecting patients to medical staff and other professionals. It also contributes to and participates in education, research, program planning, and evaluation activities on the SUDP unit and throughout the hospital as directed by the supervisor. The position is a permanent, full-time federal role. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Limited ad hoc telework may be available; this is not a virtual position. A recruitment incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant. Relocation assistance is not authorized. The position may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. The full performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for this requirement.
• State license or certification to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level.
• For GS-12: At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure, including one year equivalent to GS-11, preferably in a specialized area of social work practice.
• GS-12 licensure must include an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless covered by the stated grandfathering provisions; must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Demonstrated advanced practice skills and judgment, including experience with clinical social work, psychosocial assessment, patient advocacy, confidentiality, and assessment of patients' psychosocial functioning and needs.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case-management services.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing ways to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services, using outcome evaluations to improve treatment and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and to model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except where appointment of non-citizens is permitted under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, online onboarding, identification requirements, physical evaluation, and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and meet applicable TB testing requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services from initial patient assessment through aftercare planning.
• Participate with other professionals in planning and implementing treatment programs for veterans with substance use disorders.
• Coordinate services with community resources, including physicians, public officials, attorneys, and social and health agency personnel.
• Evaluate assessments and communicate results and relevant social and emotional factors affecting patients to medical staff and other professionals.
• Contribute to and participate in education, research, program planning, and evaluation activities on the SUDP unit and in the hospital, as directed by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• A recruitment incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant.

What This Job Offers

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