Social Worker- HUD VASH

Veterans Health Administration•Oakland Park, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker will serve as a primary point of contact partnering with the local Public Housing Authorities, provide comprehensive social work services to homeless Veterans and their families enrolled in the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, ensure the Veteran's care is appropriately coordinated with the VA Medical Facility, community health or mental health providers, and agencies that serve homeless populations. The Social Worker -HUD VASH is responsible for providing independent case management for a caseload of Veterans in the HUD-VASH program and for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements. The primary place of work is in the community setting, away from VA Medical Center locations. The incumbent is expected to perform their duties mostly independently, in a community- based setting, working with homeless veterans at locations such as inside their HUD-VASH housing after placement. Clinical and Administrative responsibilities include but are not limited to the following duties: Transporting veterans on their caseload to various locations in the community, such as the Public Housing Authority, bill payment centers, in order to assist the veterans with learning independent living skills to help maintain their permanent housing. All transportation will be conducted in a GSA Government Vehicle. Provides housing search, case management, and services for a caseload of Veterans in the Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Reviewing agreements between Veteran participants and landlords, Public Housing Authorities and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements. Performs site visits to rental properties, apartments, and houses to ensure they are safe environments and in compliance with local housing codes and housing quality standards (HQS). Coordinate care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery, and linking and referring Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies. Participate in HUD-VASH conference calls and attends training offered by the HUD-VASH Program. Participates in program planning and development, advising the HUD-VASH Supervisor of shifting trends with housing stock, housing agencies, housing agencies, caseloads, and identifying the need for and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences. Documents all contacts with patients/families in the electronic medical record. Collaborates with VA Medical Center multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering housing services and resources to HUD-VASH Program Veterans. Participates in HUD-VASH discharge planning with other disciplines Provides individual, family, and group counseling, consultation/education to Veterans and families on community housing resources, advance directives, and VA benefits. Act as a consultant to other team/staff members and community providers on issues related to local housing resources. Act as liaison between VA and landlords, property managers, Housing Authorities, and community housing resources, to include furniture banks, thrift shops, and other relevant resources. Provides clinical case management to HUD-VASH Veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care. Collaborates with other housing service providers, housing specialists, and housing locators to address issues of homelessness and housing for Veterans in the HUD-VASH program. Provides housing resource education and facilitate patient/family housing support as appropriate. This may include housing resource support groups. Maintains relevant data and statistical compilations to comply with JCAHO, CARF, VA, and medical center policy and procedures.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
Must complete all application requirements.
Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school of social work.
Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
For GS-09 level: Ability to work with diverse populations, assess psychosocial functioning, implement treatment modalities, establish effective working relationships, and possess fundamental knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses.
For GS-11 level: Knowledge of community resources, skill in independent psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions, knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses, skill in independent treatment modality implementation, and ability to provide consultation services.

Nice To Haves

Telework available on an ad hoc basis per agency policy and service approval.
Relocation/Recruitment incentives are not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report is not required.
Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement for CME (must be full-time with board certification).
VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations (applies only at the GS-9 grade level).

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive social work services to homeless Veterans and their families enrolled in the HUD-VASH program.
Coordinate Veteran's care with VA Medical Facility, community health/mental health providers, and agencies serving homeless populations.
Provide independent case management for a caseload of Veterans in the HUD-VASH program.
Review agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA for HUD-VASH placements.
Transport veterans to various community locations (e.g., Public Housing Authority, bill payment centers) in a GSA Government Vehicle to assist with independent living skills.
Provide housing search, case management, and services for HUD-VASH program Veterans.
Perform site visits to rental properties to ensure safety and compliance with housing codes and quality standards.
Serve as an advocate for Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
Link and refer Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies.
Participate in HUD-VASH conference calls and training.
Advise the HUD-VASH Supervisor on shifting trends and recommend program procedure or policy changes.
Document all patient/family contacts in the electronic medical record.
Collaborate with VA Medical Center multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to improve housing services.
Participate in HUD-VASH discharge planning.
Provide individual, family, and group counseling on community housing resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
Act as a consultant to team/staff members and community providers on local housing resources.
Act as liaison between VA and landlords, property managers, Housing Authorities, and community housing resources.
Provide clinical case management to HUD-VASH Veterans and their families.
Collaborate with other housing service providers to address homelessness and housing issues for Veterans.
Provide housing resource education and facilitate patient/family housing support.
Maintain relevant data and statistical compilations for compliance.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Annual performance bonus
Regular salary increases
50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, possible 5-day paid absence for CME)
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
No Physician Employment Contract
No significant restriction on moonlighting
Comprehensive benefits package