Substance Use Disorder Services (SUD) Outpatient Senior Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Johnson City, TN

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker serves as the Substance Use Disorder (SUD)/Medication Assisted Therapist (MAT) for Veterans enrolled in SUD and MAT clinics. The role supports continuity of care between specialty SUD care, Primary Care Mental Health Integration, the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, and other clinics as Veterans move through the SUD stepped-care continuum. The social worker provides ongoing substance use case management and treatment interventions to promote stability, recovery, and quality of life.

The position provides individual, family, and group therapy; assesses Veterans in collaboration with referral sources and their support networks; and works with interdisciplinary teams to create collaborative treatment plans. It includes crisis assessment and planning, coordination with referral sources and community programs, and comprehensive care coordination. The social worker may provide clinical guidance, orientation, coaching, training, and staff development. The role also includes maintaining clinical documentation in the electronic health record and participating in committees and work groups.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available according to agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The job is sedentary but requires movement throughout the medical center. The position is full performance level GS-12 and requires a master's degree in social work and advanced-practice state licensure or certification. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school of social work; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification at the advanced-practice level, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, subject to the stated grandfathering provisions; must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least two years of experience after advanced-practice clinical licensure, including one year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Advanced practice skills and judgment in clinical social work, including psychosocial assessment, advocacy, confidentiality, and assessment of patients' and family members' needs and functioning.
• Experience with specialized needs, interventions, and treatments for psychosocial issues and mental health diagnoses, including substance use disorder, dual diagnosis, severe and persistent mental illness, personality disorders, and interactions with housing instability or homelessness.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex, multiple causes into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing ways to measure social work practice and service effectiveness, and using outcome evaluations to improve treatment and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students and model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service area.
• Must meet the physical and mental requirements to perform essential job functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Successful completion of required background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, family, and group therapy for Veterans in SUD/MAT clinics.
• Assess Veterans in collaboration with referral sources, the Veteran, family members, and significant others.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment teams to develop treatment plans for Veterans.
• Identify services needed to optimize functional status, formulate diagnoses, and support treatment planning with the SUD team and other VA programs.
• Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans, including familiarity with welfare checks and inpatient psychiatric, residential rehabilitation, and medical detoxification services.
• Use assessment and evaluation methods consistent with current VA guidelines and standards of care.
• Incorporate psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors, including family, friends, and other key supports, into collaborative treatment planning.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with referral sources and local programs to ensure appropriate clinical services are considered.
• Coordinate comprehensive health care services with treatment team members and support equitable access, service, and benefits.
• May provide clinical guidance, orientation, coaching, training, and staff development for new staff, BHIP case managers, registered nurses, peer supports, interns, and others as applicable.
• Deliver services in accordance with professional and ethical standards, including the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Enter psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, case management and therapy documentation, and progress notes in the electronic health record using appropriate formats and templates.
• Serve on facility, VISN, national, or community committees, work groups, and task forces as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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