Senior Social Worker (HUD-VASH)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates each Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and priority for program admission.
• Affords at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan, involving the Veteran and family or significant others, and performs a thorough assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness which may also include, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high risks diagnoses. Based on the psychosocial assessment, the incumbent uses professional judgment and practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis.
• Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans and their family members to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans and families to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies.
• Performs on-site visits of HUD-VASH apartments/housing units in rural and remotely separated communities to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.
• Develops psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the Veteran and/or their family or significant others, in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on the psychosocial assessments, including goals for clinical treatment.
• Determines the stage of case management for each Veteran and confirms that the multi-disciplinary team is meeting face to face with the Veteran at the frequency required by the given stage; the incumbent understands that these face to face meetings should take place in Veteran's residence unless otherwise indicated.
• Assists Veterans in maintaining appointments at VA medical centers and other community agencies for medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, vocational and other services consistent with Veteran's goals associated with healthful independent living.
• Provides referral to VA medical and mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs.
• Incumbent is responsible for data collection, administrative record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements.
• Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations and directly coordinates with the designated PHA regarding housing voucher application and award process for each Veteran. Responsible to review the agreements between Section 8 landlords, PHAs, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for placements.
• Completes documentation requirements of the HUD-VASH program, including psychosocial assessments, HOMES database updates, measurement-based care tracking, pain, nutrition, and suicide risk screenings.
• Incumbent is responsible for Program Administration, including managing the HUD-VASH program, overseeing the housing voucher application and award process, and ensuring compliance with local housing codes.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship, proficiency in spoken and written English, master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school, and advanced practice clinical licensure.
• Preferred Experience: Working with people experiencing homelessness.