Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Associate

Veterans Health Administration • Parma, OH

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting a Social Worker to serve as a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Associate. The incumbent provides expert care to Veterans receiving services through the VA Medical Center’s interdisciplinary outpatient mental health clinic, using evidence-based interventions for a wide range of mental and behavioral health conditions. The role prioritizes case management and supportive therapy and includes coordination with an interdisciplinary treatment team. The position is primarily facility-based, with possible travel within the catchment area, VISN, or nationally, and attendance at community events or non-VA facilities for networking, supervision, and staff training. The full performance level is 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 is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position.

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 basic requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level. The requirement may be waived at GS-9 while state licensure or certification prerequisites are completed; GS-11 requires independent-practice licensure or certification.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9, demonstrate ability to counsel Veterans and family members from diverse backgrounds; assess psychosocial functioning and needs and develop treatment plans; implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; establish effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; and apply fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, 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, 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 referral coordination; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions with diverse populations; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatments 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 about patients’ psychosocial needs and their effects on health care and treatment compliance.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, complete onboarding and application requirements, and comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management by assessing and monitoring care-coordination needs over time and arranging follow-up and outreach to support proactive, personalized care and continuity.
• Advocate for Veterans on BHIP teams to support comprehensive, seamless mental health services.
• Participate in program planning and development; advise the supervisor about caseload trends and recommend program procedure or policy changes based on work experience.
• Provide services within accepted standards of practice, prioritizing case management and supportive therapy, including chart reviews, psychoeducational and coping-skills groups, measurement-based care facilitation, and other appropriate services.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments to identify high-risk factors, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, acute needs for VA or community services, and case-management and treatment needs.
• Provide crisis intervention in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team for Veterans experiencing severe social or mental health crises.
• Perform other BHIP-related duties as directed by the supervisor, including training, mentoring, and oversight of new or not-yet-clinically-licensed staff, and preparing staff for CARF and Joint Commission standards and accreditation processes.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student-loan payment reimbursement, for eligible applicants, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program review and approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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