Social Worker - Homeless Program

Summary

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

Works in the community to provide outreach services to homeless veterans at shelters, soup kitchens, and other agencies in the community serving the homeless. Provides street outreach and works with street outreach initiatives to identify at-risk/literally homeless Veterans. Locations may include parks, tent cities, and other outdoor areas. Performs triaging/screening as well as comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, integrating input from the Veteran, their caregiver/family, VA records, as well as brief assessments when appropriate. Completes diagnostic tools including the Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) assessment to ensure appropriate housing resources and additional treatment services are received. Educates Veterans and/or their caregivers about VA and community resources to address their needs. Consults, collaborates, and coordinates with other staff who provide care to Veteran. Provides clinical care coordination and case management of Veterans. Collaborates with other VA programs and local community agencies to ensure services for homeless Veterans. Provides cross-coverage within the continuum of Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) programs as needed.

Qualifications

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.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

None beyond the basic requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to utilize a Veteran-centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. 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.

Education

A master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

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.

Physical Requirements

Ability to physically access various treatment settings within the facility. Ability to use computers frequently/continuously throughout the day for data input and communication. Ability to use the phone. Ability to walk up and down steps. Ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to walk long distances in connection with community and street outreach.