Social Worker (HUD VASH Program)

About the role

The Brooklyn VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified full-time Social Worker to serve as a member of the HUD VASH Case Management Service Line.

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

• Provides specialized case management and clinical services to homeless veterans through the Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD VASH) program.
• Identifies behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; provides education on advance directives and advanced care planning; provides social work case management; acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.
• Affords psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision, including assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; uses clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.
• Independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the Veteran, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintains a current network of internal and external resources to educate the Veteran and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals.
• Serves on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community; provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans offering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills; establishes and maintains ongoing education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff, to facilitate understanding of social work interventions specific to the Veteran/Military population.

Requirements

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Qualifications

• Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensure or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• 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).