Summary

The Social Worker in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program in Social Work Service at the Allentown - Pennsylvania VA Medical Center provides services to Veterans with substance use disorders enrolled in VA Supported Services for Veterans and Families program (SSVF).

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• 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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determination: Social Worker - GS-11Experience and Licensure: 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 - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified 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 - 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-39 Preference: Homeless experience preferred Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting - bending - stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office - hospital and community
• The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis
• Whenever possible - carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting
• In carrying out responsibilities - operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required
• The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020
• It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans - family members - representatives of community health - welfare and law enforcement agencies.

Duties

• The incumbent in this position: Interviews potential clients - confirms eligibility - completes psychosocial assessment - and interprets and explains the VA's treatment and benefits programs
• Conducts community outreach to Homeless Veterans programs to receive referrals from the SSVF programs for veterans identified with SUD conditions to facilitate referrals into Specialty SUD programs
• Incumbent will adhere to GSA Fleet Management training and compliance criteria to operate GSA car while conducting outreach and home visits
• Community work could be up to 50 % of clinical workload
• Conducts psychosocial assessments and suicide risk assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members
• Actively participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines within SUD and Homeless Programs
• Participates in discharge planning with others and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate
• Provides individual - family - and group counseling as appropriate
• Provides consultation /education to veterans and families on community resources - advanced directives and VA benefits
• Acts as a consultant to other team/staff members
• Provides consultation/education to medical residents on social work practice and VA policy and procedure
• Acts as a liaison between VA and community resources - to include marketing and public relation duties as needed
• Provides case management to veterans and families - as needed - throughout the continuum of care
• Provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which incudes case work - individual - family and group counseling - discharge planning - case management - and other services as appropriate
• Addresses advanced directives and organ donation in accordance with the standards of their wok area
• Provides wellness/prevention education and facilitation patient/ family support groups as appropriate
• As appropriate - supervises the practice of social work students - or a less experienced social worker
• Coordinates treatment and communicates with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for veterans
• Participates in committee assignments - as deemed necessary by the service manager
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP: Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required