Social Worker (BHIP Therapist)

Veterans Health Administration • Oswego, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker serves as a full-time member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the Mental Health ICC at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Based at the Oswego VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, the position provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans connected with the Syracuse VAMC and its CBOCs. The Social Worker delivers psychiatric interventions, mental health treatment, and stabilization services in an outpatient setting, both in person and through telehealth.

The role provides recovery-oriented, trauma-informed psychotherapy for individuals and couples; conducts psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, and treatment planning; and uses measurement-based care and other evidence-based practices. Group therapy may be facilitated as needed. The Social Worker collaborates with Veterans, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members to provide comprehensive care, and supports transitions to the least restrictive level of care, including discharge and transition planning. The position requires maintaining an unrestricted clinical license and adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics and applicable local Social Work policies.

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 this basic requirement.
• Licensure or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• For GS-11 appointment, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, and independent-practice-level state licensure or certification.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources, appropriate referrals to community and governmental agencies, and service coordination.
• Demonstrate skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Demonstrate knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects and side effects, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans.
• Demonstrate skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Demonstrate ability to provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff concerning patients' psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet VA pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and physical examination; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet applicable education-recognition requirements; foreign education used to qualify must be supported by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
• Current VHA employees in the occupation may qualify under the stated grandfathering provision if they meet its criteria.

Nice To Haves

• A doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may substitute for the one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting required for GS-11.
• Experience with CBT and CPT and other evidence-based mental health treatment approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and couple psychotherapy using evidence-based, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Complete psychosocial assessments and collaboratively develop treatment plans using Measurement Based Care.
• Apply knowledge of psychiatric conditions, evidence-based treatment protocols, including CBT and CPT, and common psychotropic medications and their effects and side effects.
• Use appropriate mental health and medical diagnostic terminology to communicate effectively with the healthcare team.
• Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and advocate for Veterans' psychosocial and mental health needs, including factors influencing treatment adherence.
• Routinely assess Veterans' mental health needs in outpatient settings, coordinate care with the clinical team, and support transitions to the least restrictive level of care, including timely discharge and transition planning.
• Document clinical services in the electronic health record and review provider notes to support coordinated, comprehensive care.
• Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans, including evaluating the need for psychiatric hospitalization or residential program admission.
• Maintain basic knowledge of Veteran benefits, services, and specialized programs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support service and organizational needs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development through self-assessment, supervision, and clinical consultation.
• Maintain an unrestricted clinical license and follow the NASW Code of Ethics and applicable local Social Work policies.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Some positions under the announcement may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval.

What This Job Offers

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