The incumbent provides services to Veteran, and their families, in the Homeless Program in VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System. The incumbent is the face of the VA homeless programs in the community and within the VA completing assessments, referrals, and outreach to veterans experiencing homelessness.
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. Verification of the degree can be made by going tohttp://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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. Current state requirements may be found by going tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology Social Worker, GS-11 Experience 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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, educational, and other 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS09 to GS11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the incumbent sits comfortably while working. However, there may be some light exertion required when walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small objects, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Ability to complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) course is a position requirement.
The social worker provides outreach, assessments, referrals and case management services to homeless veterans identified in the community under supervision addressing psychosocial problems related to homelessness . Referrals come from Coordinated Entry, various shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers, social service agencies, individual contacts at the clinic, telephone contacts, the homeless hotline, CBOC's and ECHCS. Incumbent completes program specific assessments and HOMES (National Homeless Data System). In providing the provision of care, adults less than 65 years to the geriatric (greater than 65 years of age, recognizes age related needs and demonstrated knowledge and care appropriate to the age groups. The social worker's efforts are directed toward using a therapeutic relationship to assist the individual/significant others gain more control over their lives and resolve issues which have led to homelessness (i.e. substance dependence and/or mental illness). Incumbent provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice, which includes case work, individual, family and group counseling, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Incumbent provides ongoing therapeutic intervention with the patient and significant other to assist them in dealing and coping with the psychosocial issues of mental health, aging, illness and disability, dealing with loss and grief. The HCHV social worker will also serve as the Coordinated Entry (CE) Representative for Homeless Programs for the local Coordinated Entry efforts. The social work is the VA liaison for coordination of outreach efforts with local community partners; including linkages to VA services and the local Suicide Prevention Specialist (SPC) for those veterans experiencing literal street homelessness and are at high risk for suicide. The social worker is responsible for communicating potential Coordinated Entry Committee policy or protocol changes to the VA leadership where such changes would enhance the VA's ability to coordinate housing and services for homeless Veterans with Coordinated Entry Committee or other key partners. Incumbent is required to possess and maintain a current valid state drivers license. Participate in Coordinated Entry Committee (CEC) meetings and planning efforts which may include leadership roles within the CoC group. Complete assessments, ROI's and referrals to transitional and permanent housing. The inclement will also complete the intake and treatment plan in CPRS. Ensure timely and accurate entry into VA Data systems such as HOMES and the review the data, improve performance and delivery of services to homeless Veterans and ensuring this information is shared (in a manner consistent with VA information sharing directives) so that the community Master or By-Name Lists are up-to-date and complete. Be the liaison between the HCHV program and both VA and community based employment programs. This will require the incumbent to remain knowledgeable of existing and new employment programs as well as maintain up-to date referral information. Be an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. Participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Provide individual, family and group counseling as appropriate. Provide consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources and VA benefits. Act as a consultant to other team/staff members. Provide consultation/education to medical residents on social work practice and VA policy and procedure. Provide case management to veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. Transport veterans in government vehicles in support of meeting the goals identified in the veteran's treatment plan. The incumbent will provide a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes case work, individual, family and group counseling, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Address Advance Directives in accordance with the standards of their work area. Provide wellness/prevention education and facilitate Patient/family support groups as appropriate. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-55681-A, 554-55685-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized