Social Worker- Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing(HUD-VASH) Case Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker serves as a Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Case Manager, providing case management and related clinical social work services to homeless Veterans. The role supports Veterans in obtaining and maintaining stable, HUD-approved housing and coordinates comprehensive care with VA and community providers. The position is full performance level GS-11 and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

The incumbent works with Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, VA, and community agencies to support HUD-VASH placements and service delivery. The Social Worker assesses Veterans and family members, develops and participates in treatment and discharge planning, and provides counseling and education. The role also involves program data collection, housing site visits, compliance with local policies and documentation standards, and participation in program planning and training.

This position requires a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's level. GS-11 qualification requires at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice licensure or certification, or a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience requirement. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval; an award may be up to $200,000. Relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change of station may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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 this basic master's degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• For GS-11 appointment, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals to community and governmental agencies and coordinate services.
• Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology sufficient to formulate treatment plans.
• Ability to independently implement different treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Ability to consult with new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Compliance with background and security investigation requirements, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA health care personnel.
• Completion of the required online onboarding process and application requirements; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Willingness to serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• If relying on foreign education, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts; qualifying education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Nice To Haves

• A doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the GS-11 one-year professional social work experience requirement in a clinical setting.
• Former work experience or military service may be considered for annual leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• Highly qualified applicants may be considered for relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change of station authorization.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to a caseload of Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program, supporting appropriate treatment and maintenance in HUD-approved stable housing.
• Review agreements involving Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and VA to establish appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
• Conduct site visits to HUD-VASH apartments to ensure Veterans reside in safe environments that comply with local housing codes.
• Verify Veterans’ status, eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility for program participation.
• Ensure homeless Veterans are considered as primary participants for program acceptance.
• Collect and submit HUD-VASH participant data according to NEPEC evaluation procedures.
• Coordinate care and advocate for Veterans to support comprehensive service delivery, including linking and referring them to VA Medical Centers, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies.
• Comply with criminal conflict-of-interest laws and Executive Branch standards of conduct.
• Participate in HUD-VASH program conference calls and attend program training.
• Follow local HUD-VASH policies, standard operating procedures, and documentation requirements, including those for GARF and Joint Commission accreditation.
• Participate in program planning and development; advise the supervisor of caseload trends and recommend procedure or policy changes based on work experience.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine the needs of Veterans and family members.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and discharge planning, and ensure discharge plans are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling as appropriate.
• Educate Veterans and families about community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
• Consult with other team and staff members.
• Serve as a liaison between VA and community resources, including marketing and public relations duties as needed.
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs, identify strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity, and facilitate health care services in collaboration with Veterans, families or caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Identify family and caregiver stressors, conduct assessments, and provide interventions.
• Provide case management and care coordination; link Veterans with services, resources, and opportunities to support independence, health, and well-being.
• Assess at-risk Veterans in crisis, identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plans as appropriate.
• Independently provide interventions and treatment modalities, which may include individual, group, and family counseling or psychotherapy, and formulate treatment plans with measurable and achievable goals.
• Serve on facility, VISN, or community committees, work groups, and task forces; provide subject-matter consultation to colleagues and students.
• Establish and maintain education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff concerning social work interventions for the Veteran and military population.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement may be available to eligible applicants, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to VHA review and approval.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual credit based on prior federal work or military service may be available if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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