Social Worker Center for Integrated Residential Care for Addictions (CIRCA)

Veterans Health Administration • Brockton, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker provides high-quality assessment, psychotherapy, case management, and discharge planning for Veterans in the Center for Integrated Residential Care for Addictions (CIRCA) at the Brockton campus of VA Boston Healthcare System. CIRCA is a 24-bed substance abuse residential rehabilitation treatment program offering comprehensive rehabilitation services to Veterans with alcohol and/or drug problems and co-occurring mental health concerns.

The Social Worker conducts screening assessments for Veterans referred to the program, completes comprehensive psychosocial assessments for new admissions, provides support during clinical emergencies, and contributes social work expertise to treatment team meetings. The position may also provide coverage for psychology staff as a treatment team coordinator and may assist with the CIRCA consult service. The incumbent works within a multidisciplinary team and completes intake assessments, individualized treatment planning, case management, advocacy, and required documentation. The role also requires expertise in community resources that can support Veterans’ substance use and mental health goals.

This is a permanent, excepted-service position with a full performance level of GS-11; applicants may be selected at GS-9 through GS-11. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional, non-routine telework is authorized, but this is not a virtual position. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics. The work is largely sedentary and takes place in offices and meeting rooms, though it requires moving around the office and facility. The work can be mentally and psychologically demanding and stressful.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, with an eligibility period of one to five years. A master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent master's-level practice are basic requirements, subject to the stated GS-9 exception. GS-11 qualification requires one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in a relevant setting and independent-level licensure or certification, or a doctoral degree in social work in place of the experience requirement.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have a 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 the master's degree basic requirement.
• Be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level. At GS-9, an exception may apply while state licensure or certification prerequisites are being completed; GS-11 and above require licensure or certification.
• Demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social work-related setting, plus independent-practice-level licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience requirement.
• Demonstrate the ability to use a Veteran-centered approach in interventions and counseling for Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors.
• Demonstrate the ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate and implement treatment plans identifying problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needs.
• Demonstrate the ability to use treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups, including supportive, problem-solving, and crisis-intervention techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agency representatives.
• Have fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, demonstrate knowledge of community resources and the ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11, demonstrate skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied backgrounds.
• For GS-11, demonstrate the ability to formulate treatment plans using knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• For GS-11, demonstrate skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• For GS-11, demonstrate the ability to consult with new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, pre-employment evaluation, credentialing if required, and onboarding requirements.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Maintain a full, valid, unrestricted independent license or certification once obtained; failure to obtain or maintain required credentials may result in removal from the social worker series and possible termination.
• Be able to move around the office and facility; no special physical qualifications are required.
• Use effective coping and self-care strategies to address potentially demanding and stressful work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the Compensation Work Therapy Program (CWT) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment, psychotherapy, case management, and discharge planning to Veterans in the CIRCA residential substance abuse rehabilitation program.
• Conduct screening assessments of Veterans referred to the program.
• Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments for newly admitted Veterans.
• Provide individual support during clinical emergencies.
• Provide social work input and support during treatment team meetings.
• At times, provide coverage for psychology staff as a treatment team coordinator.
• Complete intake assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Provide case management and advocacy, and complete required paperwork.
• Use knowledge of community resources to support Veterans’ substance use and mental health goals.
• At times, assist with the CIRCA consult service.
• Work effectively and communicate with a multidisciplinary team of specialty providers.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with a birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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