Social Worker (STAR)

Summary

The Substance Treatment And Recovery Program (STAR) operates under the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) at the Fayetteville Healthcare System (FVACHS). The incumbent provides clinical mental health support to Veterans receiving services in the STAR Program. Incumbent provides substance use disorder (SUD) specific treatment to Veteran patients across the life-span. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

Duties

• Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently screen, assess, implement treatment modalities for a SUD specific treatment population.
• Treatment interventions include but not limited to psychotherapy, psychosocial counseling, measurement-based care and will be evidence-based in nature.
• Independently conducts diagnostic assessments including use of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) as the basis for diagnostic impressions and conclusions.
• Develops person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran to address substance use and/or mental health needs.
• The GS-11 STAR Social Worker independently monitors effectiveness of treatment interventions and ensures ongoing transitional/ discharge planning.
• Has working knowledge and experience in use 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.
• The Social Worker links the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities, to maximize the Veteran’s independence, health, and well-being.
• Conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate.
• Coordinates with facility Suicide Prevention Coordinator when warranted for a Veteran patient under their care.
• Independently provides consultation to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing SUD and the impact on physical health or social drivers of health (SDOH).
• Ability to evaluate one’s own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means.
• Incumbent can communicate effectively- both orally and in writing- with people from varied backgrounds.
• Incumbent completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at program, service line, and medical center levels.
• Facilitates referrals based upon Veteran needs and eligibility.
• Incumbent can meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
• Communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representative, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately.
• Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing; data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA.
• The Social Worker at the GS-11 full performance level complies with national and local performance mandates, including timely health care screening and completion of applicable clinical reminders for all patients.
• Incumbent promotes effective transitional discharge planning to and from an outpatient level of care.
• Coordinates with internal VA stakeholders to community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs.
• They link the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities, to maximize the Veteran’s independence, health, and well-being.
• Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of 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.
• GS-11 Social Workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility/VISN level or in the community.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Cheryl.
• Lahair@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Professional Certification
• Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript