Social Worker -Health Care for Homeless Veterans HCHV Outreach Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker serves as a Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Outreach Specialist, coordinating services and providing direct care, referrals, and follow-up for enrolled Veterans across a continuum of services. The position consults with staff about the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness and how psychosocial challenges affect health care and treatment adherence. It establishes therapeutic relationships with Veterans and, as appropriate, their families; coordinates referrals to VA, government, and community resources; and assists Veterans with housing voucher applications and access to support when they do not qualify for homeless-program services.

The role responds to referrals and requests from sources including the National Homeless Hotline, outreach voicemail, community partners, family members, and email. It supports a walk-in clinic for homeless Veterans and participates in community outreach events, including the annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down and Point-In-Time Count. Outreach may take place in shelters, resource centers, libraries, parks, streets, homeless camps, and other locations not meant for human habitation.

The Social Worker conducts assessments, triage screenings, and evaluations; completes biopsychosocial assessments; and collaborates with Veterans to develop and update plans of care. The role coordinates services and case conferences, develops treatment plans with Veterans and relevant family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners, and provides psychosocial interventions and counseling. It also advocates for Veterans, tracks outreach contacts, evaluates practice through peer review and case conferences, communicates with people from diverse backgrounds, and transports Veterans in government vehicles when needed to support treatment-plan goals or access to care.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework may be available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position. A current, valid state driver's license is required, and the role involves significant local community travel. The vacancy has a full performance level of GS-11, with selection at GS-9 to GS-11. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility and application rules; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

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 the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification for independent social work practice at the master's level. The licensure exception described in the posting applies only at GS-9; GS-11 candidates must be licensed or certified.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9, meet the basic education and licensure requirements and demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in Veteran-centered interventions; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities; working relationships and communication; and medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• 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, plus independent-practice state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional clinical social work experience.
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referrals; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions for diverse individuals; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures; skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Possess a current, valid state driver's license and be able to travel locally to provide community-based care.
• Meet federal employment conditions stated in the posting, including U.S. citizenship (with the stated policy exception), applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, onboarding and identification requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• Meet the physical requirements, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, including primarily light and sedentary work, occasional moderate physical demands, and the visual acuity and repetitive hand and wrist motions described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with homeless populations or with mental health or substance use disorders.
• A master's degree in social work is identified as preferred experience, although it is also a basic education requirement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with VASLCHCS programs and services to provide direct care, referrals, and follow-up for enrolled Veterans.
• Consult with staff and team members about the psychosocial needs of homeless Veterans and the effects of psychosocial issues on health care and treatment adherence.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with homeless Veterans and, when appropriate, their families.
• Coordinate referrals to community-based services, VA programs, and other government programs.
• Assist Veterans with applications for non-case-managed HUD vouchers and help connect Veterans who exceed program income limits with support and resources.
• Triage and respond to requests and referrals from the National Homeless Hotline, outreach voicemail, community partners, family members, email, and other sources; coordinate follow-up and closeout.
• Help coordinate a walk-in clinic for homeless Veterans on the VA campus, including participation by VA programs and community partners.
• Participate in community events and outreach activities, including the annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down and Point-In-Time Count.
• Facilitate referrals according to Veterans' needs and eligibility; conduct specialty assessments, triage screenings, and evaluations as needed.
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments and assess needs and psychosocial barriers to determine appropriate care and treatment.
• Collaborate with Veterans to develop, use, and update plans of care based on goals, progress, clinical or diagnostic changes, and newly identified goals.
• Apply psychosocial diagnoses to care and treatment; coordinate services, facilitate case conferences, and liaise with family members and caregivers.
• Develop treatment plans with Veterans, families or caregivers, interdisciplinary treatment teams, and appropriate community partners.
• Provide psychosocial interventions and measure their outcomes; use individual, group, family counseling, and psychotherapy skills as appropriate.
• Provide community outreach and crisis intervention to homeless Veterans, addressing underlying causes as well as presenting concerns related to homelessness.
• Encourage homeless Veterans to engage in care and provide consultation, advocacy, and support to help them achieve treatment goals.
• Advocate with VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the Veteran's best interest.
• Track outreach contacts in appropriate logs, databases, and programs, such as Microsoft Excel, the electronic health record, or HOMES.
• Evaluate practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means.
• Communicate orally and in writing with people from varied and diverse backgrounds.
• Transport Veterans in government vehicles to support treatment-plan goals or access to care.
• Handle customer conflicts and problems constructively and appropriately.
• Support the goals and mission of the HJCR Program, including providing coverage across program services.
• Maintain a current, valid state driver's license.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval; reimbursement may be up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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