Social Worker- Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

3d

About The Position

The Social Worker serves in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), providing assessment, treatment planning, counseling, interventions, and case management to Veterans. The position uses the current DSM to support diagnosis and treatment goals, applies professional counseling practices, and makes treatment recommendations and referrals for individual, group, and family services. Treatment approaches may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing. Treatment goals are developed collaboratively with Veterans using shared decision-making and evidence-based practices.

The role includes coordinating care for Veterans empaneled in BHIP, connecting them with clinics, programs, facilities, community resources, and education, completing clinical reminders, administering measurement-based care, and managing clinic needs. The Social Worker may serve as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for assigned Veterans. The position requires timely and accurate electronic medical record documentation, appropriate follow-up records, and compliance with national and local performance measures. The incumbent maintains professional growth through clinical supervision toward licensure and relevant education. The position has no collateral research obligations or supervisory responsibilities.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework may be available at the supervisor’s discretion; this is not a virtual position. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and approval. The federal benefits described include paid leave and holidays, conditional paid parental leave and childcare subsidy, retirement, and federal insurance programs.

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 basic requirement.
• State licensure or certification for independent social work practice at the master's degree level; GS-11 and above candidates must be licensed or certified at appointment.
• For GS-11, 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 required year of professional clinical social work experience.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-11, knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11, ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other 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 provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff on patients’ psychosocial needs and the effect of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements, complete onboarding and application requirements, and pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the applicable physical requirements in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Gather information; identify problems; assess and diagnose; plan, implement, and evaluate treatment; and provide follow-up.
• Use the current DSM to make diagnoses, formulate treatment goals, and apply appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices.
• Make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation.
• Refer Veterans to appropriate individual, group, and family treatment services.
• Provide individual, group, or family case-management interventions, including approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing.
• Establish treatment goals collaboratively with Veterans using shared decision-making and evidence-based practices.
• Coordinate care for Veterans empaneled in BHIP with other clinics, programs, and facilities; provide resources and education; complete clinical reminders; administer measurement-based care; and manage Veteran needs within the clinic.
• May serve as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for assigned Veterans and perform the duties of that role.
• Complete electronic medical record documentation in accordance with procedures and timeliness standards, including diagnostic and procedure codes and Veteran check-out procedures.
• Maintain appropriate records and follow-up data for assigned Veterans.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and clinical reminder completion.
• Perform collateral duties as assigned.
• Further professional growth through clinical supervision toward licensure and relevant education.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with potential repayment up to $200,000 subject to approval and eligibility.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to program terms.
• Childcare subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days, subject to income and other limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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