The incumbent is a Social Worker and serves in a full-time capacity within the Homeless Programs under the Mental Health Service (MHS) at VA Detroit Healthcare System which includes the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit and affiliated community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) and the Veterans Community Resource & Referral Center (VCRRC).
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. 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. Experience/Education. The candidate must have 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. Senior social workers 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. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Grade Determinations: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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.(b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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 References: VA Handbook 5005/120, PART II APPENDIX G39The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Preferred Experience: Preferred - Clinical and Macro MSW licensure/experience; Community Organization Skills; Homeless/Housing Solutions Experience; Strong Data Analysis Skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-12. Physical Requirements: Ability to physically access various treatment settings within the facility. Ability to use computers frequently/continuously throughout the day for data input and communication. Ability to use the phone. Ability to walk up and down steps. Ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to walk long distances in connection with community and street outreach.. May require light lifting and carrying (under 50 pounds) and climbing stairs as needed. The position will involve driving a motor vehicle. Possession of a current and valid driver's license is a requirement as the incumbent is required to provide consultation services. Since work will take place indoors and outdoors, the ability to drive in various weather and tolerate exposure to excessive cold. Ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to walk and climb up and down steps. Ability to transport Veterans to/from community partners and the VA Medical Center.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides direct linkage from community services to VHA homeless program services through regular and consistent outreach and communication with community providers. Ensures efficient sharing of Veteran data and program information, as allowable under VA Privacy and Information Security policies and Directives. This will include knowledge of HMIS and HOMES data standards, data sharing and privacy authorities, HUD guidance, and other applicable documents or established guidance. Provides support to the VA homeless program teams as a functional member of the team, to include participation in outreach activities and consultation on community involved interventions for homeless Veterans. Develops partnerships with community agencies with regular contact and communication Participates in policy formulation with HCHV and homeless program leadership to ensure that other VA homeless staff are trained as needed on coordinated entry processes and tools. Ensures timely and accurate entry into VA data systems such as HOMES and the review the data to improve performance and delivery of services to homeless Veterans. Collects, analyzes, and presents data to Continuums of Care, Community Partners, and VA Leadership. Liaises with the strategic planning committees and provides consultation in the formation and execution of the six Continuums of Care Ending Veteran Homelessness plans. Serves as consultant on Continuum of Care homeless task forces and fulfills CoC executive assignments as designated by Director of Homeless Programs. Conducts Coordinated Entry training to frontline staff and community provider staff. Writes all collaborative policies and procedures between the respect CoC Coordinated Entry Partners and VA Detroit; updates as needed; and, collaborates with and communicates this information to community partners and VA staff. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary homeless program treatment team to link treatment team discussions to the community's case conferencing discussions. Provides recovery-oriented and housing first services, with the goal of establishing the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning. Provides appropriate clinical documentation for all contacts with or about Veterans who are engaged through outreach services. Provides clinical services and appropriate clinical documentation for homeless Veterans encountered through the community's coordinated entry system or other service access points. Provides all necessary assessment functions in the service provision for homeless Veterans, e.g. interviewing, psychosocial histories and assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans as well as case conferencing discussions and planning. Provides support and direction to the community Coordinated Access Model representatives who work within the VA Homeless Programs. Participates in the training of medical students, medical and psychiatric residents, nursing students, fellows, and other graduate or post-graduate trainees, as appropriate. Other duties as assigned Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. Represents social work on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91938 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized