Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant)

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Cherry Point, NC

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About The Position

The Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant) serves as a full-time integrated team member in a primary care clinic using the DHA Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program model. The program integrates mental health providers and registered nurses into Patient Centered Medical Homes to provide evidence-based biopsychosocial assessment, treatment, prevention, and management of mental health problems and bio-psychosocially influenced health conditions for Military Health System beneficiaries.

The consultant conducts targeted assessments of functional status related to presenting problems; develops evidence-based brief interventions for mental health conditions, chronic medical conditions, and health behaviors affecting medical conditions; and provides evaluation, intervention, and relapse-prevention services in appointments lasting no more than 30 minutes. The role includes determining whether patients are appropriate for care in the primary-care model, referring patients to specialty mental health care when needed, and coordinating treatment with Primary Care Managers and other team members. The consultant also provides timely consultation feedback and develops, teaches, and oversees classes that build skills and promote psychological and physical health.

Employment is subject to background and pre-employment screening, required immunizations including annual seasonal influenza vaccination unless medically exempt, and a current, active, valid, unrestricted clinical license to practice social work independently. The position is Mission Essential, requires a Secret security clearance, may involve travel, and may require uncommon duty hours including on-call, shifts, evenings, weekends, or holidays. A one-year probationary period applies. Recruitment or relocation incentives and student loan repayment may be authorized; permanent change-of-station costs are not authorized.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• One year of specialized experience conducting mental health assessments, providing individual and group treatment, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team; education cannot substitute for this experience requirement.
• Current, active, valid, unrestricted clinical license to practice social work independently, issued by a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, a commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Satisfaction of background investigation, pre-employment screening, and required immunization/vaccination conditions, unless exempted by a licensed physician.
• U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a full-time integrated team member in a primary care clinic using the DHA Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program model.
• Assess patients’ functional status in the context of presenting problems.
• Conduct brief assessments and formulate evidence-based interventions for mental health conditions, chronic medical conditions, and health behaviors affecting medical conditions.
• Provide evaluation, intervention, and relapse-prevention services in initial and follow-up appointments lasting no more than 30 minutes.
• Triage and refer patients to Specialty Mental Health Care when their needs exceed the consultant’s scope of practice.
• Assist Primary Care Managers and other primary-care team members with implementing and monitoring treatment plans.
• Provide timely, succinct feedback to Primary Care Managers regarding consultation findings and recommendations, consistent with DHA guidance.
• Determine whether patients are appropriate for the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program model in the primary-care setting.
• Develop, teach, and oversee classes that promote education, skill-building, psychological and physical health, and health-related behavior change.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Student loan repayment may be authorized.
• Salary negotiation may be available to candidates new to Federal service.

What This Job Offers

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