Social Worker (HUD VASH) - Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

Veterans Health Administration • Athens, GA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker is assigned to the Social Work Service Line at the Athens VA Clinic in Athens, Georgia, and may work in various clinical programs involving a wide range of outpatient activities. The position serves Veterans and their families through psychosocial assessment, counseling, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and coordination of community-based services. The vacancy may be filled at GS-09 or GS-11; GS-11 is the full performance level.

At GS-09, the Social Worker works under supervision and assesses psychosocial functioning and needs, develops and implements treatment plans, provides counseling, establishes working relationships with clients and community agencies, and participates in committees and continuing education. More complex cases are completed under close supervision.

At GS-11, the Social Worker performs these functions at a higher level of independence, including independently conducting assessments and interventions, coordinating referrals and community resources, managing high-risk cases, providing consultation to staff, and evaluating their practice through peer review and other organizational means.

The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the role is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. At GS-09, VA may waive this requirement pending completion of state prerequisites; GS-11 requires licensure or certification.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-09, no experience beyond the basic requirements is required, and candidates must demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities in counseling, assessment and treatment planning, treatment modalities, effective relationships and communication, and fundamental medical and mental health knowledge.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-09 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 clinical social-work experience.
• For GS-11, demonstrated knowledge and skills in community resources and referrals, independent psychosocial assessment and treatment intervention, medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures, independent use of treatment modalities, and consultation with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, online onboarding, acceptable identification, pre-employment physical evaluation, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the application requirements in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct case finding, outreach, discharge planning, and screening for psychosocial needs and mental health, alcohol, tobacco, and substance use disorders.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop discharge plans appropriate to Veterans and their families.
• Coordinate community-based services, including community residential care, assisted living, nursing home placement, and referrals to VA, government, and community agency programs.
• Identify high-risk patients and provide case management services.
• Provide crisis intervention, address underlying causes and presenting concerns, coordinate family conferences, and serve as a liaison to family members.
• Use individual, group, and family counseling and therapy skills with patients and families experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families.
• Document patient and family contacts in the electronic medical record and complete statistical and other reports in accordance with applicable policies.
• Consult with other staff about Veterans' psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment-plan adherence.
• Evaluate professional practice through peer review, case conferences, and other organizational methods.
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs, identify problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needs, and formulate and implement treatment plans.
• Establish effective working relationships with clients, staff, and community agency representatives, and communicate orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• Serve on committees, councils, workgroups, or task forces; liaise with community agencies and network with agency representatives.
• Obtain and participate in continuing education.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award amount up to $200,000 and 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 prior federal service or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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