Social Worker -Health Care for Homeless Veterans HCHV Outreach Specialist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)EducationHave 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 accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification 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 workLicensurePersons 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 levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/ExceptionVHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinationsThis exception only applies at the GS-9 grade levelFor the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certifiedAt the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadlineMay 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: Social Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and LicensureNone beyond the basic requirementsDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to meeting the basic requirements for this occupation - do you possess all of the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities? (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors(b) 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(c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goalsThis requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies(e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment proceduresThis includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuriescommon medications and their effects/side effectsand medical terminology Social Worker - GS-11 Experience and LicensureAppointment 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 levelNOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3cOR EducationIn 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 settingAND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgrounds(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.eacute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan(d) 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(e) 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 treatmentPreferred Experience: Masters degree in Social WorkExperience working with homeless population or mental health/ substance use disordersReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health - able to sit at a desk working at a computer - engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting - walking - bending - and carrying suppliesSocial Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands - exercise patience - and control emotions - with reasonable accommodation - if necessary - without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or othersThis position requires a valid state driver's license and local travel to provide community-based care to VeteransThe position requires significant travel in the community - through use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements - to meet with representatives/stakeholders who provide assistance and support to Veterans in clinics - medical centers - Community Clinics - etcThis position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figurestranscribingviewing a computer terminalextensive readingand repetitive motions of the wrists - hands - and/or fingers. Duties Works with other VASLCHCS programs & services to coordinate between entities & provide direct care - referrals - & follow-up for enrolled Veterans through a continuum of servicesActs as a consultant to other staff/team membersProvides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness & the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to the treatment planEstablishes & maintains therapeutic relationships with homeless Veterans & as appropriate - their familiesCoordinates community resource referrals & community-based services - including information & referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programsAssists Veterans referred to non-case-managed HUD vouchers with the application processAssists in providing support & resources to Veterans who do not qualify for homeless program services due to being over incomeCoordinates - triages - & responds to requests from the National Homeless Hotline - consults - phone calls/messages - & community referrals - & coordinates follow-up for care provision and closeoutResponds to incoming referrals from all sources including but not limited to the following: messages on outreach voicemail - National Homeless Hotline - community partners - family members - email - etcAssists in coordinating a walk-in clinic for homeless Veterans on the VA campus - including participation from other VA programs and community partnersAssists with & participate in community events including the annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down - Point-In-Time Count (or PIT Count) - & other events & activities directly to outreach to Veterans who are literally and/or chronically homelessFacilitates referrals based upon the Veterans' needs and eligibilityConducts specialty assessments - triage screenings - & evaluations as neededCompletes biopsychosocial assessments to assess & determine appropriate care and treatment for diverse VeteransProvides outreach & crisis intervention services to homeless Veterans in the community - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint of homelessnessConducts assessments of needs and psychosocial barriers to collaborate with the Veteran in developing a plan of care to address identified goalsUtilize plan of care to guide treatment & service coordination or case management to support Veteran's increased self-sufficiency & goal achievementUpdates plan of care when goals are achieved - there are significant clinical changes or diagnostic changes - & /or the Veteran identifies new goalsApplies psychosocial diagnoses to the provision of care and treatmentCoordinate services for Veterans - facilitate case conferences - & serve as a liaison to family members & caregiversDevelops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family/caregiver - interdisciplinary treatment team - & appropriate community partnersProvides psychosocial interventions & measures outcomes to interventionsWorks with Veterans & their families - as appropriate - who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - & social problems utilizing individual - group - family counseling - & psychotherapy skillsParticipates in outreach efforts to encourage homeless Veterans to engage in careOutreach locations may include the following: homeless shelters - resource centers - libraries - parks - streets - homeless camps - & other places not meant for human habitationParticipates in consultation - advocacy - & support to help Veterans achieve stated treatment goalsActs as an advocate with appropriate VA & community service providers & agencies when it serves the best interest of the VeteranAssists in tracking outreach contacts by entering them in appropriate logs - databases - & programs (such as Microsoft Excel - the electronic health record - or HOMES)Evaluates own practice through professional peer review - case conferences - & other organizational meansCommunicates orally & in writing - with people from varied and diverse backgroundsTransports Veterans in government vehicles in support of meeting the goals identified in the Veteran's treatment plan & /or assisting the Veteran with access to careHandles conflict & problems in dealing with the customer constructively & appropriatelySupports the goals & mission of the HJCR ProgramThis will include supporting - encouraging - & providing coverage across services throughout the programPossess & maintain a current - valid state driver's license Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: May Be Available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policyVirtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 52351A52352A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact SLCedrp@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized