Senior Social Worker (PTSD)

Veterans Health Administration • Poplar Bluff, MO

10d

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker serves on the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) and independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services to eligible Veterans and their family members. The position primarily serves Veterans in the John J. Pershing catchment area, whose complex health care and psychosocial needs require substantial clinical oversight and creative problem-solving. Services are provided at the John J. Pershing VAMC and in the community, in coordination with patients, families and significant others, community agencies, and other staff.

The role requires advanced practice skills and judgment in a specialized area of social work. The incumbent conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, makes independent psychosocial diagnoses and treatment recommendations, develops and implements treatment plans, and provides individual and group counseling, including psychotherapy in some settings. The Senior Social Worker also consults with and supports colleagues, contributes to clinical program effectiveness, and may provide supervision for social work licensure or certification.

The position has a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with rotational off-duty on-call coverage. Telework is ad hoc only, and occasional travel may be required. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; the award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited school; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
• At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure, in a specialized area of social work practice; one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Advanced-practice-level state licensure or certification, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless covered by the stated grandfathering provisions; California licenses are subject to the stated exception.
• Ability to provide supervision for social work licensure or certification.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and role-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, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and any required background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions must submit to urinalysis screening.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation; comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period as a condition of employment.
• Meet the position’s physical requirements, including light lifting and carrying of up to 15 pounds, use of both hands, rapid simultaneous mental and muscular coordination, specified corrected near and far vision, hearing (hearing aid permitted), and emotional and mental stability.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced clinical experience with people living with serious mental illness, particularly in community-based or recovery-oriented settings.
• Proficiency in evidence-based practices such as Social Skills Training (SST), Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Experience with Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) principles, interdisciplinary team collaboration, Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and intensive case management.
• Experience supervising or mentoring social workers.
• Participation in program development and leadership in quality improvement initiatives.
• Certification or post-master’s training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university, including a defined curriculum and internship or equivalent supervised specialty experience.

Responsibilities

• Interview Veterans and their family members or significant others to establish facts about the Veteran’s situation, presenting problems, causes, and effects on functioning and health.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and explain VA treatment and benefit programs.
• Independently evaluate client situations and make psychosocial diagnoses using professional judgment and advanced practice skills.
• Assess risk factors and develop preliminary disposition plans with Veterans and their families or significant others.
• Assess serious and complex cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses; make professional decisions and recommendations for agency action.
• Develop psychosocial treatment plans and goals in coordination with interdisciplinary team members.
• Determine the appropriate use of VA and non-VA services and referrals, and recommend courses of treatment to the interdisciplinary team.
• Serve as a liaison for the medical center’s Mental Health and Behavior Medicine services; coordinate screening for programs such as the PTSD Clinical Team and provide ongoing treatment under program guidelines.
• Provide clinical services, advice, guidance, emotional support, and other assistance to Veterans and family members or significant others.
• Provide individual and group counseling, including psychotherapy in some settings.
• Help Veterans and significant others assess problems, consider alternatives, and develop plans to use resources to resolve problems.
• Provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role-model effective social work practice, and support less experienced social workers through orientation, teaching, or clinical supervision as assigned.
• Contribute to clinical program development, effectiveness, and modification of service patterns as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award amounts may be up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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