Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Tuscaloosa, AL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker serves as a Case Manager for the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center’s Housing and Urban Development–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. The incumbent coordinates case management and clinical services for Veterans receiving housing through HUD Section 8 vouchers. The full performance level is GS-11. The position is onsite; telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs.

The incumbent manages a minimum caseload of 25 Veterans and provides a broad range of social work services, including case management, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, counseling, advocacy, discharge planning, and referrals. The role coordinates care with VA services and community agencies, supports Veterans in locating housing and obtaining needed documents or services, and helps ensure housing is safe and compliant with local codes. The position also requires maintaining documentation in the electronic medical record, participating in program meetings and training, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Applicants must meet VA social worker qualification requirements, including a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and state licensure or certification for independent practice at the master’s level, subject to the stated GS-09 exception. For GS-11, candidates generally need at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-09 in health care or a related social work setting, plus independent-practice licensure or certification; a qualifying doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience. Candidates must demonstrate specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in community resources and referrals, psychosocial assessment and interventions, medical and mental health conditions, and treatment modalities.

The position involves some physical exertion, including prolonged standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, lifting moderately heavy items, or assisting patients. Social workers who transport Veterans must maintain a valid state driver’s license, provide driving-record information, complete pre-placement and biennial physical examinations including vision and hearing screens, and complete annual Safe Driving training. Employment is subject to background/security investigation, a pre-employment physical, seasonal influenza vaccination requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• 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 does not substitute for this basic degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level; the stated exception for GS-09 appointments may apply to otherwise qualified candidates pending completion of state requirements.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-09 in health care or another social-work-related setting, or a qualifying doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• For the GS-11 experience route, independent-practice state licensure or certification is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, appropriate referrals to community and governmental agencies, and service coordination.
• Demonstrated skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for people from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Demonstrated knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans.
• Demonstrated skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and be subject to a background/security investigation.
• Must meet identification and online onboarding requirements and complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• If transporting Veterans, must maintain a valid state driver’s license, provide driving-record information, complete pre-placement and biennial physical examinations including vision and hearing screens, and complete annual in-class and electronic Safe Driving training.
• Physical ability to perform duties involving prolonged standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, lifting moderately heavy items, or assisting patients.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mental health and substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management to a minimum caseload of 25 Veterans in the HUD-VASH Program.
• Interview clients and complete psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, and updates in accordance with program and accreditation requirements.
• Verify Veterans’ homeless status and ensure chronically homeless Veterans are considered primary participants for program acceptance.
• Complete HOMES electronic forms in a timely manner.
• Review agreements among Section 8 or housing authority staff, private landlords, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
• Visit HUD-VASH apartments to ensure Veterans reside in safe environments that comply with local housing codes.
• Coordinate care and advocate for Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery, including referrals to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Office, and community agencies.
• Comply with criminal conflict-of-interest laws and Executive Branch standards of conduct.
• Participate in HUD-VASH conference calls and attend training offered by VA Central Office and/or VISN 7.
• Follow local HUD-VASH policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Document contacts with patients and facilities in the electronic medical record and complete required or requested reports.
• Collaborate with VA interdisciplinary teams and community agencies to improve service delivery for HUD-VASH participants.
• Participate in discharge planning and ensure discharge plans are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Provide individual, family, and group counseling as needed.
• Serve as a liaison between the VA and community agencies, including marketing and public relations duties as needed.
• Provide social work services including case work, counseling, discharge planning, advocacy, case management, and other appropriate services.
• Coordinate treatment and communicate with care and service lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans.
• Provide transportation and support to Veterans seeking housing or obtaining needed documentation or services.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior federal employment or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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