Summary

The Homeless Outreach senior social worker works independently using educational training - clinical experience - VA policies - Joint Commission and CARF standards to administer direct services to homeless Veterans referred to Homeless Programs - presenting for resources/homeless services or met through street or other outreach efforts.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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
• Note: 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
• NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED Licensed or certified Senior Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination - unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California - which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• NOTE: A COPY OF YOUR LICENSE/CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker - GS-12 In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• Experience: At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice
• Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
• This includes individual - group - and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area - utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area - as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession - and to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Senior social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work at an advanced level
• Senior social workers typically practice in a major program area such as but not limited to: Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site
• a Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center - or a national VHA referral center - such as a national Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a national Transplant Center - or other program areas of equivalent scope and complexity
• The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns
• Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to onsite supervision such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics
• The senior social worker collaborates with the other members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans - ensures equity of access - service - and benefits to this population - ensures the care provided is of the highest quality
• The senior social worker provides leadership - direction - orientation - coaching - in-service training - staff development - and continuing education programs for assigned social work staff
• They serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility - VISN and national level - or in the community as deemed appropriate by the supervisor - Social Work Executive or Chief of Social Work Services
• This assignment is to be relatively few in number based on the size of the facility/service and applying sound position management
• This assignment must represent substantial additional responsibility over and above that required at the full performance grade level and cannot be used as the full performance level of this occupation
• References: VA Handbook 5005/Part II/Appendix G39The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health - able to sit at a desk working at a computer - engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting - walking - bending - and carrying supplies
• Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands - exercise patience - and control emotions - with reasonable accommodation - if necessary - without endangering the health and safety of the Social Worker or others
• Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center - standing for extended periods of time - and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams
• Position may require regular travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who aid and support to the HUD-VASH Program and its Veterans
• Must be able to lift 10 to 15 pounds - drive a GSA Vehicle - climb stairs - and regularly be out in the community in the local weather
• This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures
• transcribing
• viewing a computer terminal
• extensive reading
• and repetitive motions of the wrists - hands - and/or fingers.

Duties

• One of the primary responsibilities of the Outreach Social Worker is to engage in outreach activities - including street outreach - Homeless Stand Downs - agency outreach - shelters - transitional housing sites and/or other places known to be a common place people who are homeless stay
• Major duties include - but not limited to: The incumbent functions as an independent social work provider: a
• Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments: Reviews all referral data from social workers - case managers - managed care staff and discharge planners to identify patients' needs
• b
• Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses: Independently evaluates the Veteran's situation - including the Veteran's reaction and ability to deal with it - and arrives at a reasoned conclusion
• c
• Plans Effective Treatment: Assures the transfer of health care - both inpatient and outpatient - to the appropriate VHA and community resources
• d
• Implements Treatment: Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/ significant others in support of the Veteran's treatment
• Gives advice - guidance - emotional support - and other assistance
• e
• Evaluation - Education - Supervision - Coaching - and Mentoring: Establishes a continuing relationship with the Veteran - evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate
• The Outreach Social Worker is responsible for providing a variety of services to Veterans experiencing homelessness - who are unstably housed and/or at imminent risk of homelessness
• The Outreach Social Worker completes psychosocial assessments - suicide risk assessments - suicide safety plans - treatment planning - short-term solution focused counseling with individuals and families who may be in crisis - education and referral for resources and benefits - case management and may provide post-intervention follow-up
• The Outreach Social Worker is responsible for providing a variety of services to Veterans experiencing homelessness - who are unstably housed and/or at imminent risk of homelessness
• The Outreach Social Worker completes psychosocial assessments - suicide risk assessments - suicide safety plans - treatment planning - short-term solution focused counseling with individuals and families who may be in crisis - education and referral for resources and benefits - case management and may provide post-intervention follow-up
• The Outreach Social Worker collects - develops - and analyzes data using appropriate clinical indicators and monitoring activities to assure that the care provided is of the highest quality
• The Outreach Social Worker provides consultation and education to VA staff and community-based service providers including Social Work students
• The Outreach Social Worker documents activities and interventions in Veteran's electronic medical records and ensures appropriate hand off when transferring Veteran care
• The Outreach Worker may work days and/or tour hours that are outside of normal business hours - with limited or no on-site supervision
• The Outreach Social Worker independently provides clinical psychosocial treatment and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible Veterans and their family members to meet biological - psychological - social and environmental needs
• Also varies other duties and functions assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Travel: Up to 50% may be required
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement# Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized