Social Worker- Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)

Veterans Health Administration • Gaylord, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aleda E. Lutz Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan is recruiting two full-time Social Workers for Homeless Programs within Social Work Services, including affiliated community-based outpatient clinics. One position is based at the Gaylord CBOC and the other at the Saginaw Annex. The role involves travel to community locations and Veterans’ homes and serves Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness through outreach, assessment, referrals, and case management.

The Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Social Worker is often the first Homeless Programs clinician to contact literally homeless and at-risk Veterans. The position serves as an entry point to VA homeless services, engaging vulnerable and underserved Veterans and connecting them with VA and community support. Services include outreach at shelters, soup kitchens, and other community agencies; screening and biopsychosocial assessments; housing and treatment resource coordination; education and referrals; and crisis intervention.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. EDRP may reimburse up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years. The full performance level is GS-9; selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11. The position is permanent, is not virtual, and does not offer telework. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A current, valid driver’s license is required, and the incumbent drives in the community and may transport Veterans to and from community partners and the Medical Center.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree does not substitute for this master’s degree requirement.
• For GS-9, licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level is required, though an exception may allow appointment while completing state prerequisites. An unlicensed GS-9 appointee must obtain independent master’s-level licensure or certification within the prescribed period.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare or another social-work-related setting and independent-practice state licensure or certification, or a doctoral degree in social work that may substitute for the experience requirement.
• Demonstrate a Veteran-centric approach to interventions and counseling; assess psychosocial functioning and needs and develop treatment plans; use treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; establish effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; and possess fundamental knowledge of medical and mental-health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology (GS-9).
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; independently conduct psychosocial assessments and interventions with people from varied backgrounds; apply medical and mental-health knowledge to treatment planning; independently implement treatment modalities; and provide consultation to new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Valid, current driver’s license; the role requires driving in the community.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Physically access treatment settings, walk long distances for community and street outreach, and potentially lift or carry items under 15 pounds and walk or climb stairs.

Responsibilities

• Provide community outreach, assessments, referrals, and case management to homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of homelessness.
• Serve as an entry point to VA homeless services and engage vulnerable and underserved Veterans in supportive and rehabilitative services.
• Conduct outreach at shelters, soup kitchens, and other community agencies serving people experiencing homelessness.
• Perform triage and screening, comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, and brief assessments when appropriate, integrating information from Veterans, caregivers or family, and VA records.
• Complete diagnostic tools, including the Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) assessment, to help ensure appropriate housing resources and additional treatment services are provided.
• Educate and connect Veterans and caregivers with appropriate VA and community resources in individual and group formats.
• Provide crisis intervention and refer Veterans to appropriate VA and community resources.
• Travel to community locations and Veterans’ homes; drive in the community and transport Veterans to and from community partners and the Medical Center.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with potential reimbursement up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, up to 25% of eligible childcare costs and a stated monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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