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

Overview

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The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site health care system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Responsibilities

• The HUD-VASH Social Worker provides direct care to Veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the community, in their homes, and in shelter environments. Incumbent provides intensive case management services and implements psychosocial treatment modalities to patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and socioeconomic problems. Incumbent assists Veteran in procuring necessary documents to support application for HUD Section 8 program, housing, and identified resources to support community integration.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker provides case management services to support Veterans with housing stability and community integration, including understanding tenancy rights and responsibilities, HUD policies and expectations, budgeting, attaining, and maintaining sobriety, harm reduction strategies, and other opportunities to ensure Veterans can maintain stable housing.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker uses evidence-based treatment modalities that are effective with homeless population including motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, trauma informed care, harm reduction, and holistic whole health approaches. Incumbent uses knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, common medication effects and medical terminology to aid in the care of enrolled Veterans.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker completes comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments and formulates client-centered treatment plans using SMART interventions, including Veterans strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences; monitors progress and updates plans as determined by policy and clinical indications, collaborating across teams and services.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker establishes and maintains effective professional working relationships with internal and external partners including Veteran clients, VA colleagues, and community agencies.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker documents all work in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) within required time frames and maintains HOMES data, supporting timely updates to case management stages as described in policy, improving Center performance.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker participates with treatment teams in weekly meetings, community meetings, family conferences, and other endeavors to support housing stability; collaborates with the Enhanced multidisciplinary Team to support community reintegration and prevent relapse into homelessness.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker acts as an advocate for Veterans within the medical system and community to support housing stability and wellness, linking to services based on eligibility; assists Veterans in determining eligibility, resource brokerage, and collaboration with community and VA providers, including applying for pensions and other benefits.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker works with vulnerable Veterans with chronic conditions to coordinate in-home services, placement, or other appropriate housing to meet needs.
• The HUD-VASH Social Worker assists Veterans seeking housing through outreach to local shelters, collaboration with community agencies, and VA providers; serves homeless program participants with a no wrong door approach and proactive linkages as needed.

Work Schedule

0800-1630

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment; applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Online onboarding required; acceptable forms of identification per I-9 guidance may be required.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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 be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited as per VA policy.
• Education: A master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school. Doctoral degrees cannot substitute for the MSW. Verification via CSWE site.
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s level (GS-0185). See VA policy for state requirements. The VA may waive licensure at GS-9; at GS-11 and above, licensure/certification is required. Details at VA/ASWB guidance.

Notes: Grandfathering provision may apply for current VA employees in this occupation. See Qualification Standards.

Grade Determinations

The full performance level is GS-11. The selected grade may be GS-9 to GS-11 based on experience, education, and licensure.

• GS-9 - Experience none beyond basic requirements; KSAs include counseling, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, relationship building, and medical/mental health knowledge.
• GS-11 - One year of post-MSW experience and licensure/certification; or doctoral degree substitution; KSAs include knowledge of community resources, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning and interventions, and ability to provide consultations.

Reference: VA Qualification Standards. See https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are typical for the occupation; pre-placement examination may be required if operating a government vehicle or other policy-based exceptions apply.

Education Note

Only education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to qualify for Federal employment. Foreign education must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency when applicable.

Additional information

• Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual Leave: Credits may apply toward annual leave accrual.
• Opt-in to make your resume visible to hiring managers may be available; opt-in does not affect your application.
• Job opportunity may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. Title 38 health-related positions; not Schedule A.
• If you cannot apply online, contact the Agency.
• Fair Chance Act: background history guidance applies after a tentative offer.
• Federal benefits information available; eligibility depends on position type and schedule.

Job details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Other
• Industries: Hospitals and Health Care

Location: Hillsboro, OR