Senior Social Worker- HUD VASH Case Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Chillicothe, OH

1d

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker serves as a HUD-VASH case manager, bringing specialized clinical expertise relevant to the program, such as care for Veterans experiencing homelessness or recovering from trauma, treatment of mental illness, or evidence-based treatment modalities. The role also provides leadership on a team, workgroup, or initiative, and contributes to clinical program development and accountability for program effectiveness.

The position provides outreach, assessment, treatment planning, housing assistance, advocacy, and community-based clinical case management to Veterans. It uses Housing First and other evidence-based approaches to promote engagement and self-efficacy, and coordinates with Veterans, families, landlords, public housing authorities, community providers, VA programs, and other stakeholders. The role requires accurate documentation in the Electronic Health Record, HOMES, and other applicable systems, and familiarity with HUD-VASH directives and operating requirements.

The position requires transporting Veterans in a government vehicle as needed and traveling throughout the medical center and community. Telework may be available at agency discretion; this is not a virtual position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; reimbursement may be up to $200,000 over one to five years.

Applicants must have a CSWE-accredited master's degree in social work, state licensure or certification to independently practice at the master's level, and advanced-practice licensure or certification as specified. The position requires at least two years of experience after advanced-practice clinical licensure, including one year equivalent to GS-11, along with the stated specialized clinical knowledge and skills. The full performance and selection level is GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master's degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; 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.
• Advanced-practice state licensure or certification, 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, in a specialized social work practice area, including one year equivalent to GS-11.
• Demonstrated advanced-practice social work skills and judgment.
• 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 developing and implementing 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 model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Ability to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle; a pre-placement physical examination and periodic medical evaluations are required for vehicle operators.
• Ability to travel in the community and perform duties involving sitting, talking, driving, walking, standing, bending, computer and telephone use, and carrying books, papers, or files within facility weight limits.
• Must complete a background/security investigation, online onboarding, and applicable pre-employment identification and application requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education.
• Develop clinical programs and ensure accountability for clinical program effectiveness, modifying service patterns as needed.
• Incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnoses and treatment.
• Conduct outreach to engage homeless Veterans and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align services with identified needs.
• Independently interview and assess Veterans for program enrollment and treatment planning.
• Use Housing First and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement and self-efficacy.
• Help Veterans obtain HUD-VASH vouchers from Public Housing Authorities and complete the housing lease-up process.
• Advocate for Veterans and families with landlords, Public Housing Authorities, community providers, and VA programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships and processes with Continuums of Care, Coordinated Entry Systems, HUD Regional Offices, Public Housing Authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Help Veterans establish and achieve goals related to quality of life, employment, medical and mental health care, social support, benefits, and end-of-life planning.
• Provide community-based clinical case management and care coordination at a frequency appropriate to the Veteran's case-management stage, clinical needs, and care preferences.
• Conduct home visits to address access barriers, support housing stability, and assess social and community integration.
• Provide social work interventions and services in individual or group settings, including psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management services within approved scope of practice.
• Document services accurately and promptly in the Electronic Health Record, HOMES, and other applicable platforms.
• Follow HUD-VASH program directives and operating requirements.
• Transport Veterans to appointments and community resources in a government vehicle as needed.
• Travel throughout the medical center and community to provide care.
• Perform other duties as assigned in response to program needs.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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