Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Buffalo, NY

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This Social Worker position is in the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The Social Worker provides case management and outreach to Veterans experiencing homelessness, connecting them with VA and community services, housing resources, healthcare, and benefits. The role works with Veterans and their families or caregivers, community partners, and interdisciplinary VA teams to coordinate Veteran-centered care and address barriers to services.

The position requires documenting interventions and contacts in the electronic medical record, coordinating handoffs, participating in team meetings and improvement processes, and supporting safety planning and monitoring for high-risk patients. The incumbent must maintain training in tele-mental health and other VA virtual care modalities and provide virtual care when clinically appropriate. The position is not virtual; ad-hoc telework is available. The full performance level is GS-11, with selection possible at GS-09 through GS-11.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree does not substitute for the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level; the licensure exception may apply only at GS-9, subject to completion of state prerequisites.
• Maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification once licensed or certified.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare 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 experience.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the applicable grade, including counseling diverse Veterans and families; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; treatment interventions; effective working relationships and communication; and knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and terminology.
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referrals; skill in independent psychosocial assessments and interventions; knowledge of medical and mental health conditions and treatment; skill in implementing treatment modalities; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated statutory exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register for Selective Service.
• Complete background/security investigation, online onboarding, required application materials, and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking the Education Debt Reduction Program; eligibility and award are subject to program review.

Nice To Haves

• Case management experience.
• Experience working with Veterans and the community.
• Experience with mental health or substance abuse.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management for Veterans in the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program and help ensure they receive safe, quality services.
• Conduct outreach to engage Veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Independently interview and assess Veterans to connect them with VA and community-based services, resources, and care.
• Apply knowledge of eligibility criteria for VA homeless programs and local housing resources and access pathways.
• Assist Veterans with VA healthcare enrollment and applications for local, state, or federal benefits, including Social Security and VA service connection.
• Advocate for Veterans facing barriers to shelter, housing, or care, and when appropriate support Veterans and family members or caregivers in advocating for themselves.
• Collaborate with emergency departments, military treatment facilities, police, community partners, VA teams, and HCHV colleagues to coordinate services and care.
• Educate Veterans about community resources, provide referrals, and ensure links to appropriate programs.
• Coordinate care and refer Veterans to VA medical centers, VA regional offices, and community agencies.
• Collaborate with HCHV leadership and team members to develop or improve educational materials promoting care coordination.
• Obtain and maintain training in tele-mental health and VA virtual care modalities, and provide virtual care when clinically appropriate.
• Follow applicable program and facility protocols in medical or psychiatric emergencies.
• Document social work interventions and Veteran or family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate titles and templates; ensure complete, confidential, professional documentation and appropriate handoffs.
• Maintain positive working relationships with VA employees, volunteers, consumers, stakeholders, and community agencies.
• Attend appropriate team, staff, discharge-planning, supervision, committee, and workgroup meetings; participate in committee assignments and initiatives as needed.
• Participate in performance-improvement processes and comply with applicable VA performance measures.
• Coordinate with Veterans' primary care teams on monitoring and referrals to appropriate programs.
• Maintain awareness of suicide treatment options and make recommendations as indicated.
• Ensure high-risk patients complete and receive a copy of a safety plan documenting patient goals.
• Collect and report required data on risk behaviors, safety-plan completion, outreach, and high-risk monitoring.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

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