Social Worker (Substance Use Disorder)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties include but limited to: Interviews and conducts bio­psychosocial assessments to establish veteran's treatment needs, presenting problems, and provide a clinical impression. Interprets and explains VA's treatment following the completion of a biopsychosocial assessment whereby levels of services are determined. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. In the event of an alleged abuse case, medical or psychiatric emergency, the medical center policy will be followed. The incumbent ensures that the interdisciplinary team is kept informed of any concerns with the patient and/or caregiver. Assesses high risk factors, acuity and need for services. The Social Worker interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. The social worker reviews assessments completed by others, and obtains missing information from providers, patients, and medical records. Develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. Provides psychoeducation and clinical feedback regarding symptoms of the mental health condition to patients served. Engages patient and family education, engage client advocacy, engage mandatory reporting (abuse, neglect, or exploitation), engage suicide assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning. Responsible for the overall function of program development, recruitment of Veteran patients, case management, networking with community resources, and engage interdisciplinary collaboration including with the SUDS team and other applicable VA staff on site as well as various departments at CA VHCS and community facilities in the primary service area. Clinical knowledge in the profession, provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role model effective social work practice skills, teach or provide orientation to less experienced social workers, develop innovations in practice interventions, and provide clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification. Acts as an advocate when appropriate and feasible while encouraging the veteran and family to advocate on their own behalf thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. Engages resource referral and community services coordination. Responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. Will attend all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, MHC staff meetings, other committees as appropriate, etc.) and perform other duties as required. Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as endorsed by supervisors. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN7HRCompensation@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59836F, 59835F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized