Senior Social Worker - HUD-VASH

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker provides specialized clinical case management to Veterans and families participating in the HUD-VASH program. The role includes screening and admission referrals, comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and reassessments, collaborative treatment or housing stability planning, and services tailored to Veterans’ needs, acuity, and care preferences. The social worker conducts regular home visits to support safe, independent community living and may provide outreach to engage homeless Veterans.

The position coordinates care with VA multidisciplinary teams, community agencies, property owners, service providers, and Public Housing Authorities. It monitors agreements related to HUD-VASH placements, collects and submits program data, participates in data reconciliation, and supports compliance with accrediting-body standards. The Senior Social Worker also contributes to program planning and policy or procedure development, provides consultation and training as a subject matter expert, and maintains professional competencies and required training records. The position may serve as the VA contact for a housing site, geographic region, or community agency, or oversee a contract serving homeless Veterans as a Contracting Officer Representative.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is authorized, and ad-hoc telework is available. This is not a virtual position. The role requires a valid, unrestricted state driver's license, clearance to operate a government vehicle, and transportation of Veterans when clinically indicated. It also entails moderate lifting and carrying, pushing, and operation of a motor vehicle, with work both indoors and outdoors, closely with others and alone.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to VHA eligibility and approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over one to five years. Applications must be submitted within four months of appointment; former EDRP participants are ineligible. Recruitment and relocation incentives and Permanent Change of Station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master's degree in social work from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree.
• State license or certification at the advanced practice level, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, subject to the stated grandfathering and California exceptions; must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure, in a specialized area of social work practice.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Demonstrated advanced practice skills and judgment in social work.
• 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 social work practice and service effectiveness, 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 area.
• Valid state-issued driver's license with an unrestricted history in accordance with VA policy, and ability to pass an Occupational Health driving examination to operate a government vehicle.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
• Complete the required online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Meet the seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment dependent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Submit a copy of the transcript showing the conferred degree and a copy of the advanced practice license as required for GS-12.

Nice To Haves

• Five years of case management experience.
• Specialty certification or post-master's training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university, including a defined curriculum or course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical case management to Veterans and families in HUD-VASH.
• Conduct regular home visits to ensure Veterans live in environments that foster independence and safety in the community.
• Screen and process referrals for HUD-VASH admission from community and VA sources.
• Complete comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and regular reassessments to determine clinical needs and acuity.
• Collaboratively develop treatment plans or housing stability plans with Veterans.
• Provide services within the Social Work Scope of Practice based on Veterans’ needs, acuity, and care preferences.
• Provide consultation and psychoeducation to Veterans and their families.
• Monitor agreements among property owners, service providers, Public Housing Authorities, and VA to establish suitable HUD-VASH referral sites.
• Coordinate with VA multidisciplinary teams and community agencies to deliver healthcare services effectively and efficiently.
• Collect and submit HUD-VASH participant data in accordance with CHOS and HOMES policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, and other applicable accrediting standards.
• Participate in program planning and development, advise the CHOS supervisor about changing Veteran care needs, and identify needed SOP or policy changes.
• Participate in training and continuing education, and maintain training records in accordance with VA policies and state licensure requirements.
• Participate in or lead reconciliation of HUD-VASH data between VA and Public Housing Authorities to determine the status of awarded vouchers.
• Provide training, education, and consultation to trainees, VA staff, and community partners as a subject matter expert.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and government-vehicle driving clearance, and transport Veterans when clinically indicated and in accordance with VA policy.
• When assigned, provide outreach to engage homeless Veterans.
• When assigned, serve as the primary VA contact for a project-based housing site, geographic region, or community agency, with most work in community settings.
• When assigned, oversee a contract serving homeless Veterans as a Contracting Officer Representative.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, of up to $200,000 over a one-to-five-year period.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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