Social Worker-Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

14h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Screening/Assessment: Engages in information gathering, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up. Fully utilizes the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. Makes professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation. Makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, and family treatment services.

Treatment Planning/Interventions: Utilizes a wide variety of individual, group, or family case management interventions. Treatment approaches include but are not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem solving therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Establishes goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the Veteran utilizing shared decision making and evidence-based practices.

Case Management: Conducts case management services for veterans empaneled in BHIP to include but not limited to: coordination of care with other clinics/programs/facilities, provision of resources/education, completing clinical reminders, administering measurement based care, and managing veteran needs within the clinic. May serve as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned veterans and conducts the duties of this role. Possesses knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Serves on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups, and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help Veterans function effectively. Complies with all electronic medical record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper Veteran check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on Veterans who are their responsibility. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all Veterans. Complies with peer review procedures. With supervisory approval, may participate as a member of VA SORCC committees as directed. Attends regular staff meetings, specific service line meetings, and mental health service line meetings. Performs collateral duties as assigned. This position does not have collateral research obligations or supervisory responsibilities. Is responsible for furthering own professional growth through receiving clinical supervision toward licensure, education, appropriate to the area of assignment.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensure or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level (required for GS-11 and above, may be waived for GS-9 with exception).
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• GS-09: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.
• GS-11: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds. (c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. (d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. (e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

Nice To Haves

• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
• Opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Engages in information gathering, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up.
• Fully utilizes the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices.
• Makes professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation.
• Makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, and family treatment services.
• Utilizes a wide variety of individual, group, or family case management interventions.
• Establishes goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the Veteran utilizing shared decision making and evidence-based practices.
• Conducts case management services for veterans empaneled in BHIP to include but not limited to: coordination of care with other clinics/programs/facilities, provision of resources/education, completing clinical reminders, administering measurement based care, and managing veteran needs within the clinic.
• May serve as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned veterans and conducts the duties of this role.
• Possesses knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• Serves on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups, and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help Veterans function effectively.
• Complies with all electronic medical record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper Veteran check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes).
• Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on Veterans who are their responsibility.
• Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all Veterans.
• Complies with peer review procedures.
• With supervisory approval, may participate as a member of VA SORCC committees as directed.
• Attends regular staff meetings, specific service line meetings, and mental health service line meetings.
• Performs collateral duties as assigned.
• Is responsible for furthering own professional growth through receiving clinical supervision toward licensure, education, appropriate to the area of assignment.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Child Care Subsidy
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
• Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

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