Social Worker - Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Veterans Health Administration • Kernersville, NC

3d

About The Position

The Social Worker provides supportive services to veterans enrolled in outpatient substance use disorder services. Services include case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of connections to appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position requires independently supporting veterans and families with complex medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial needs, and helping veterans make the greatest practicable use of treatment and achieve the highest possible level of independence.

The social worker conducts psychosocial assessments, develops and implements client-centered treatment plans with veterans, families, and the interdisciplinary team, and provides recovery-oriented treatment, counseling, and supportive groups. The role also includes coordinating care and aftercare, serving as a liaison to VA and community resources, educating veterans and families about resources and benefits, and consulting with colleagues about psychosocial needs and their effects on healthcare planning, treatment compliance, and discharge planning. The position is full performance at GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 or GS-11. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available at the supervisor’s discretion; the position is not virtual.

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 the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. A limited waiver may apply at GS-9 while completing state prerequisites; GS-11 requires licensure or certification.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• United States citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• GS-9 candidates must demonstrate a veteran-centric approach; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and formulate and implement treatment plans; ability to implement individual, family, and group treatment modalities; effective communication and working relationships with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare or another social work-related setting, plus state independent-practice licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional clinical social work experience.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referrals; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with varied populations; knowledge of diagnoses and treatment procedures to formulate treatment plans; skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Must actively pursue state prerequisites for licensure or certification and maintain a full, valid, unrestricted independent license or certification once obtained.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, online assessment, and other required application steps and documents.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete the online onboarding process and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA Health Care Personnel employee.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and/or their families.
• Independently work with veterans and families experiencing complex medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.
• Conduct thorough psychosocial assessments and use the findings to support treatment and the veteran’s highest practicable level of independence.
• Collaborate with veterans, families, and interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop and implement client-centered treatment plans.
• Apply knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• Serve as a liaison between veterans and families and VA or community resources to coordinate services, treatment planning, and aftercare.
• Provide recovery-oriented treatment, counseling, and supportive groups for veterans and families.
• Educate veterans and families about community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, advance directives, and how to access or coordinate services.
• Consult with treatment team and staff members about veterans’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on healthcare planning, treatment compliance, and discharge planning.
• Provide advocacy and case management throughout the continuum of care.
• Use human growth and development principles across the lifespan and assist veterans coping with loss and grief associated with disability or terminal illness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; potential award up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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