Social Worker- Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Worker is assigned to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) within Social Work Service and provides recovery-oriented psychosocial rehabilitation services to Veterans with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) who have a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score at or below 50. The position provides services to Veterans and their families and participates in diagnostic, evaluative, and dispositional reviews. The role involves developing recovery plans with Veterans and the recovery team, delivering recovery-based interventions, coordinating community services, documenting care, and attending relevant team meetings.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Ad-hoc telework may be available at supervisory discretion; this is not a virtual position. The role may require availability for emergent situations on evenings and weekends. The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-9 or GS-11. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; reimbursement may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Have a 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 the master's degree.
• Be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. A licensure or certification waiver may apply only at GS-9 while state prerequisites are being completed; GS-11 requires independent-practice licensure or certification.
• Demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9, demonstrate the listed KSAs: Veteran-centric intervention and counseling; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; use of treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; effective working relationships and communication with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatments, medications, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting and independent-practice state licensure or certification, or qualify through a doctoral degree in social work as a substitute for the experience requirement.
• For GS-11, demonstrate the listed KSAs: knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; independent psychosocial assessment and treatment skills across varied backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures; independent use of treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Be able to perform the described physical duties, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering personal or others' health and safety.

Nice To Haves

• Mental health experience.
• Training or certifications in evidence-based protocols, such as CPT for psychosis or other evidence-based practices for the Serious Mental Illness population.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial services to Veterans and their families and participate in diagnostic, evaluative, and dispositional reviews.
• Participate in regular PRRC recovery team meetings and huddles, sharing observations and information to enhance Veteran treatment.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families, and work independently with people experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems using individual, group, and family recovery-based skills.
• Collaborate with Veterans to develop Recovery Plans and work with the Recovery Team to develop and implement recovery-oriented programming.
• Conduct PRRC Initial Assessments and develop recovery plans in collaboration with the Veteran or family and recovery team.
• Deliver recovery-based interventions and measure their outcomes.
• Coordinate community-based services, including information and referrals to VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies.
• Document social work interventions and activities in the Federal Electronic Healthcare Record (FEHR) and ensure appropriate hand-offs when transferring patient care.
• Attend appropriate staff meetings, including PRRC recovery team meetings and huddles, Social Work team meetings, Social Work supervision meetings, and relevant committees and workgroups.

Benefits

• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Access to a federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

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