Social Worker ( Mental Health) ICMHRS

Veterans Health Administration • Montgomery, AL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker provides mental health and psychosocial services to Veterans and their families or caregivers. The role contributes to treatment planning and setting SMART goals with Veterans, family members or caregivers, and other stakeholders. The Social Worker assesses needs throughout treatment, provides information about VA and community services, makes referrals according to the Veteran’s preferences or those of a surrogate decision-maker, and coordinates continuity of care through consultation and case management.

The position uses individual, family, and group therapies, as well as educational programs, to provide psychosocial treatment and evaluation, with documentation. It serves people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. The Social Worker also advocates for Veterans and families when appropriate, supports their independence and self-determination, and conducts rapid assessments and crisis-management planning, including when mental health inpatient admission may be indicated. The position promotes treatment, rehabilitation, and discharge consistent with program goals and individual treatment plans.

The vacancy may be filled at GS-9 or GS-11, with GS-11 identified as the full performance level. 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. GS-11 applicants generally need one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in a health-care or related social-work setting and independent-practice licensure or certification, or a qualifying doctoral degree in social work in lieu of the experience requirement. The position is not virtual or telework eligible. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; hours may change based on agency needs.

Requirements

• 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 required master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. A limited exception may apply at GS-9 while completing state licensure or certification prerequisites; GS-11 requires licensure or certification.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• GS-9 candidates must demonstrate counseling skills; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate and implement treatment plans; ability to implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental-health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology.
• GS-11 candidates generally need at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience requirement.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions; knowledge of diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and medical terminology; skill in independently implementing treatment modalities; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Subject to background and security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel requirement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to treatment planning and establish SMART treatment goals with Veterans, family members or caregivers, and other indicated stakeholders.
• Review and update treatment plans according to the policy for the assigned work area.
• Provide consultation about VA and community resources and collaborate with other service providers to reassess Veteran needs.
• Educate Veterans and their families or caregivers about available services and assist with appropriate referrals based on the Veteran’s or surrogate decision-maker’s preferences.
• Use VA and community social-work resources and refer Veterans to services as needed.
• Advocate for Veterans and their families or caregivers when appropriate, and empower them through education and support to advocate for themselves.
• Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis-management plans, particularly when mental health inpatient admission may be indicated; follow clinic and medical-center emergency protocols.
• Promote appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and discharge consistent with program goals and individual treatment plans.
• Use individual, family, and group therapies and educational programs to provide and document psychosocial treatment and evaluation.
• Provide consultation regarding clinical needs and treatment plans, and provide case-management services to assigned patients to assure continuity of care.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with a potential award of up to $200,000 subject to program review and eligibility requirements.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child-care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be continued into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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