Social Worker Job at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor

Overview

Join to apply for the Social Worker role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

This is a Mental Health Clinical Social Work position in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program with an emphasis on outreach, and case/Care management and treatment services for homeless veterans.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments including assessing functioning and needs of Veterans to formulate and implement a recovery-oriented treatment plan, identifying the Veteran's problems, strengths, challenges, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the Veteran, family and interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide care coordination and case management to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.
• Monitor Veteran care coordination needs over time, providing care coordination, and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive, personalized care and care continuity.
• Utilizes knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture.
• Utilizes independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving and evidence-based crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of medical and DSM-5 mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects, and medical and mental health terminology.
• Provide psychoeducation to Veterans and their family members regarding diagnoses, symptom management and recovery from illness.
• Provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on mental health care and compliance with treatment.
• May provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. The Incumbent may function as Field Instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VAAAHS field placements.
• May participate as a member of various VAAAHS committees functioning as liaison between those committees and the Mental Health Service.
• Evaluate one's own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies and/or other organized means.
• Knowledge and skill in use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, predominantly those programs in use by VAAAHS.
• Complete comprehensive documentation in the veteran's charts including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge plans as per clinic requirements.
• Independently provide evidence-based interventions and treatment modalities used in the Mental Health Service in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Benefits and Pay

• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases. Higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, Federal holidays).
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy: Eligibility after 60 days for eligible employees with income below certain thresholds.
• Retirement and Insurance: Federal pension and 401K options; health/vision/dental/long-term care insurance available.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration required for certain applicants.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Background/security investigation required; pre-employment onboarding.
• Pre-employment physical examination; influenza vaccination program participation is required for VA Health Care Personnel.

Qualifications

Applicants may be referred and tentatively selected prior to completing educational or certification/licensure requirements. Basic requirements include a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and appropriate licensure/certification for independent practice where applicable. See VA qualification standards for details.

Notes

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade may range from GS-9 to GS-11. Education and licensure requirements, as well as licensure waivers and state-specific prerequisites, apply as described in the VA Qualification Standards.

This position is in the Excepted Service. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

For more information on qualification standards, see: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/