Social Worker-Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker works in the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), providing treatment coordination and therapeutic interventions for resident Veterans experiencing complex mental health, addiction, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental challenges. The role focuses on maximizing rehabilitation and treatment potential and helping Veterans achieve abstinence, emotional and economic stability, and housing stability before returning to their communities.

The incumbent independently applies a recovery-oriented model, manages a caseload, conducts assessments, and develops treatment plans and goals collaboratively with Veterans. The position provides ongoing coordination from admission through discharge, working with the treatment team and VA services to support Veterans’ transition back into their communities. Work includes individual, group, and family counseling; crisis intervention; community referrals; family conferences; and consultation with other staff.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-09 through GS-11. A master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification to practice independently at the master's level are required, subject to the stated GS-09 exception for candidates completing state prerequisites. GS-11 requires qualifying post-MSW experience and independent licensure or certification, or a qualifying doctoral degree in social work in lieu of the experience requirement. The position is full-time federal employment with a trial period.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for this basic requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level; an exception may apply at GS-09 for otherwise qualified candidates completing state prerequisites, but GS-11 candidates must be licensed or certified.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• GS-09 candidates must demonstrate ability to provide Veteran-centric 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 demonstrate fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology.
• GS-11 candidates must have at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-09 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent state licensure or certification; alternatively, a qualifying doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one-year experience requirement.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; independent psychosocial assessment and treatment intervention skills with people from varied backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures; ability to independently implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with substance use disorder.

Responsibilities

• Independently implement the recovery model of treatment.
• Carry a caseload and use initial assessments to develop treatment plans and mutually established goals with Veterans.
• Coordinate treatment and discharge planning from admission through discharge, working closely with the treatment team and supporting Veterans’ return to their community of choice.
• Provide treatment coordination to assigned residential Veterans, including daily group treatment coordination meetings and individual meetings at least once every other week.
• Provide at least five hours of group treatment per week and supplemental individual sessions as needed and recommended by the treatment team.
• Coordinate community-based services and make information and referrals to VA, government, and community agency programs.
• Identify high-risk patients and provide crisis intervention addressing underlying causes as well as presenting concerns.
• Coordinate family conferences and serve as a liaison to family members.
• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling and therapy to patients and families experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Provide consultation to staff regarding Veterans’ psychosocial needs and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plans.
• Evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means.
• Facilitate referrals based on Veterans’ needs and eligibility, including services related to Veterans’ benefits and programs.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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