Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration•Buffalo, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Duties VA Careers - Social Work : https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to the following: Will conduct mental health evaluations and psychosocial assessments to determine needs of Veterans and family members. The incumbent functions as the ED provider for patients who present to the ED with behavioral health concerns, providing crisis intervention, provisional diagnosis, treatment and disposition recommendations. Work may involve consultation with the on-call psychiatrist. Is an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and is responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Possesses knowledge of residential placement options including nursing homes, and referral processes for alternative placement in the VA and community. Provides individual, family and group counseling as appropriate. Makes referrals to a variety of appropriate programs such as Health Buddy, MHICM, Home Health Services, and Psychosocial Rehab and Recovery Program, and facilitates consults and appointments for aftercare. Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on community resources, and VA benefits. Provides case management to Veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. Addresses Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with the standards of their work area. As appropriate, supervises the practice of social work interns, or a less experienced social worker. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by their supervisor. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission, VA and medical center policy and procedures. Assists patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness and death. Participate in a rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends. Assures timely and accurate documentation, using appropriate notes and templates as defined within the facility ED, Suicide Prevention Program and behavioral health. Perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

Be a citizen of the United States.
Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
Maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification.
Be proficient in spoken and written English.
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.
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

ED and crisis intervention experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct mental health evaluations and psychosocial assessments to determine needs of Veterans and family members.
Function as the ED provider for patients who present to the ED with behavioral health concerns, providing crisis intervention, provisional diagnosis, treatment and disposition recommendations.
Consult with the on-call psychiatrist.
Be an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines.
Participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and ensure that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate.
Possess knowledge of residential placement options including nursing homes, and referral processes for alternative placement in the VA and community.
Provide individual, family and group counseling as appropriate.
Make referrals to a variety of appropriate programs such as Health Buddy, MHICM, Home Health Services, and Psychosocial Rehab and Recovery Program, and facilitate consults and appointments for aftercare.
Provide consultation/education to Veterans and families on community resources, and VA benefits.
Provide case management to Veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care.
Address Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with the standards of their work area.
Supervise the practice of social work interns, or a less experienced social worker, as appropriate.
Participate in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by their supervisor.
Maintain data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission, VA and medical center policy and procedures.
Assist patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness and death.
Participate in a rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends.
Assure timely and accurate documentation, using appropriate notes and templates as defined within the facility ED, Suicide Prevention Program and behavioral health.
Perform other assigned duties.