Social Worker - Mental Health

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

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments, aiming to understand the needs of veterans, their families, and their caregivers.
• Engage actively in the treatment planning process alongside other disciplines, ensuring the patient and family's psychosocial needs are carefully considered.
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of diverse human backgrounds, adept counseling skills, and the ability to implement treatment plans in collaboration with the clinical supervisor and/or interdisciplinary team.
• Provide a wide array of counseling services, including individual and family counseling, helping patients and their families cope with the experiences of disability, terminal illness, and death.
• Offer consultation and education to veterans and families on community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits.
• Act as a consultant to your team members, providing valuable insights and guidance.
• Act as a liaison between the VA and community resources, assuming additional responsibilities such as marketing and public relations duties when needed.
• Commit to comprehensive care by providing case management services throughout the continuum of care, ensuring veterans and their families receive the necessary support at every stage. Your holistic approach to care is further exemplified through your efforts in providing wellness and prevention education.
• Utilize computer software applications for documentation, data management, and tracking, particularly within the framework of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
• Maintain data and statistical reports to comply with JCAHO, VA, and Medical Center policies and procedures.
• Meticulously document social work interventions and activities in patient clinical records, ensuring a smooth hand-off when transferring patient care.
• Exercise exceptional interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, families, and a spectrum of community agencies, communicating fluently in diverse cultural and professional settings.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, encompassing acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, as well as an understanding of common medications and their associated effects and side effects.
• Encourage continuous professional growth and self-evaluation, actively participating in professional peer reviews and case conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school.
• Licensure or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• One year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in health care or other social work-related settings, or a doctoral degree.