Social Worker - PCMHI

Veterans Health Administration • Terre Haute, IN

3d • 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. The PCMHI Social Worker duties include screening/assessment, functional assessments based on 20-30-minute appointments and triage/referral to specialty care services as appropriate. Routine, brief assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, PCL, AUDIT C, etc.) as available in Behavioral Health Laboratory Software (BHL - Web, Touch, or other iterations) or Mental Health Assistant (MHA). From screening/assessment information, the PCMHI Social Worker develops appropriate treatment goals in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the PACT. PCMHI works with the PCP's treatment plan and is not expected to write independent treatment plans that may be seen in other sections within Psychiatry Service. The PCMHI Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, etc.). The PCT Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in re-assessing the Veteran's needs during the eligibility determination process, coordinating access to information needed for the referral. The PCMHI Social Worker will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and/or family and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. PCMHI Social Workers are expected to perform risk assessments whenever the potential for self-harm is suspected, to provide information on available safety resources, and to evaluate the Veteran's ability to access necessary resources and supports. As necessary, PCMHI Social Workers are also expected to initiate intake procedures for inpatient psychiatry whenever it is deemed necessary for the Veteran's safety or for the safety of others (i.e., ED, A&R, voluntary or involuntary admission, etc.). PCMHI Social Workers assess for suicidality and potential for self-harm at every individual encounter.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited.
• A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work.
• Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
• Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Indiana requires Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
• OR Education: In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds
• 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
• Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, 8 medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals
• 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
• The work of the social worker is community based with moderate physical activity.
• The incumbent must be capable of using a computer given all clinical charting is electronic.

Nice To Haves

• Health psychology/clinical experience related to PCMHI

Responsibilities

• Screening/Assessment - Functional assessments based on 20-30-minute appointments and triage/referral to specialty care services as appropriate.
• Routine, brief assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, PCL, AUDIT C, etc.) as available in Behavioral Health Laboratory Software (BHL - Web, Touch, or other iterations) or Mental Health Assistant (MHA).
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, the PCMHI Social Worker develops appropriate treatment goals in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the PACT.
• Referral to service providers -Maintains a professional knowledge of the theories, principles and values of social work required to develop and maintain social work programs in assigned areas.
• Maintains state of the art capabilities in systems of service delivery to individuals, families, and groups.
• Exercises judgment; program planning, development, and implementation; identifies problems and the need for policy changes and program direction that should be brought to the attention of the section Program Coordinator.
• Resource Usage/Development - Arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, etc.).
• The PCT Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in re-assessing the Veteran's needs during the eligibility determination process, coordinating access to information needed for the referral.
• Advocacy - Participates in multi-disciplinary conferences in assigned areas.
• Assists Veterans and families in obtaining medical, financial, and social resources in the community that will enhance the Veteran's recovery and/or adjustments.
• Assesses the Veteran's and family's need for an advocate and acts on the patient and family's behalf when needed.
• PCMHI Social Workers must be willing to address barriers to service with and for Veterans using a broad range of psychosocial theories and principles and specific to social work values.
• Crisis Intervention - The PCMHI Social Worker will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and/or family and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises.
• PCMHI Social Workers are expected to perform risk assessments whenever the potential for self-harm is suspected, to provide information on available safety resources, and to evaluate the Veteran's ability to access necessary resources and supports.
• As necessary, PCMHI Social Workers are also expected to initiate intake procedures for inpatient psychiatry whenever it is deemed necessary for the Veteran's safety or for the safety of others (i.e., ED, A&R, voluntary or involuntary admission, etc.).
• PCMHI Social Workers assess for suicidality and potential for self-harm at every individual encounter.

Benefits

• 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)
• 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.
• After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 .
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 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