Social Worker (Inpatient Psychiatry)

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

4h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. The position is titled GS-0185-11 Social Worker Inpatient Psychiatry 40960F and is located at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, specifically within the Inpatient Psychiatry unit. The incumbent is assigned to the Social Work Service and is responsible for admission and discharge planning, development, and implementation of social work activities in assigned segments of the Mental Health/Behavioral Science Service. The role requires adherence to the guiding principles of the healthcare system, coordination with interdisciplinary teams, and a commitment to serving Veterans. Actively supports and functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, providing a variety of social work services to improve the effectiveness of the team(s) to which they are assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• Must possess a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
• OR, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
• Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
• Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in mental health settings, demonstrating strong clinical competency.
• Background in providing substance abuse treatment, including assessment, counseling, and referral services.
• Proven experience in case management, with the ability to coordinate care, develop service plans, and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional social work services assigned to the Mental Health/Behavioral Science Section of Social Work Service in the Inpatient Psychiatry Unit.
• Assesses and treats the complicated psychosocial problems of patients admitted to Inpatient Psychiatric Services Unit.
• Participates in the provision of treatment in support of treatment team objectives, including short-term, solution-focused counseling, crisis intervention, and referral for additional services.
• Must have an understanding of psychodynamics and use a variety of treatment modalities, including individual, group, and family therapy.
• Facilitates discharge planning through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members.
• Serves as a liaison between Veterans and their families, VA, and community resources.
• Provides counseling and advocacy to independently implement treatment and discharge plans.
• Maintains knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and VA policies.
• Documents all clinical interventions and administrative activities in the medical record.
• Participates in committees, work groups, and task forces as assigned.
• Maintains professional growth and development through training, education, and consultation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

What This Job Offers

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