Senior Social Worker (BHIP/Psychotherapist)

About the role

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Eligibility is contingent upon meeting specific individual requirements as outlined by VHA policy and submitting an EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, coordinate, and provide comprehensive mental health care to Veterans and their families.
• Implement treatment modalities, identify levels of functioning, and assess psychiatric manifestations of medical conditions.
• Assess and intervene with patients suspected of abuse and provide evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups.
• Develop and implement methods for measuring the effectiveness of social work practice and services.
• Expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession and write policies, procedures, and practice guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Suicide Prevention team and Local Recovery Coordinator to ensure adherence to SOPs and support high-risk patients.
• Facilitate completion of advanced directives and psychiatric advanced directives with Veterans and their families.
• Maintain familiarity with VA performance measures and support their implementation.
• Collaborate with SAVAHCS multi-disciplinary teams and participate in committee assignments as requested.
• Work collaboratively with community agencies to enhance healthcare delivery for Veterans.
• Support the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA, VISN, and SAVAHCS.
• Be available to modify tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on evenings and weekends.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school.
• Licensed or certified by a state as an advanced practice social worker.
• Experience post advanced practice clinical licensure, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Knowledge of legal commitment and involuntary hospitalization criteria.
• Ability to perform mental status exams and assess psychiatric manifestations of medical conditions.
• Working knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• Experience in treating veterans with poly-trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, PTSD, addictions, and serious mental illness.
• Knowledge of VA performance measures and ability to document staff interventions and activities in patients' clinical records.
• Ability to complete consults and manage documentation according to VA policies.
• Collaborative skills with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies.

Qualifications

• Basic requirements include US citizenship, a master's degree in social work, and licensure/certification as an advanced practice social worker.
• Experience in specialized areas of social work practice and evidence-based psychotherapy.
• Knowledge of complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students.
• Proficiency in English communication.

Skills

• Advanced level management interventions for veterans with poly-trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, PTSD, addictions, and serious mental illness.
• Effective communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies.
• Ability to develop and implement methods for measuring the effectiveness of social work practice and services.
• Knowledge of VA performance measures and ability to document staff interventions and activities in patients' clinical records.

Benefits

Includes the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) for eligible applicants, traditional federal pension, and participation in the federal 401K plan with up to 5% employer contribution.

Pay

Salary range for this position is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of adjusting work schedule to meet the needs of the service.