Senior Social Worker – Emergency Department

Summary

Sr. Social Worker (Emergency Dept [ED]) independently uses educational training, clinical experience, VA policies & Joint Commission standards to provide services to Veterans referred from the ED, such as, substance abuse referrals, discharge planning, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, short-term solution focused counseling for those who may be in crisis, education & referral for resources & benefits, brief case management & post-intervention follow-up.

Duties

Major Duties: Performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in specialty areas, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Incumbent demonstrates the ability to design changes based on empirical findings. Follows STVHCS standard operating procedures for evaluating and mitigating suicide risk to include: Completes the Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C-SSRS) annually or more often as indicated, the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation, and a Safety Plan via shared template in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) on all patients at intake, with Veterans with suicidal ideation and on any Veteran whose record is flagged “High Risk for Suicide.” Additionally, completes the Suicide Behavior and Overdose Report (SBOR) as clinically indicated. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to Mental Health inpatient/outpatient programs. Access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, incumbent will follow the protocol of the VA Medical Center. The ED Social Worker will complete suicide risk screening and assessments. This may include assessment of suicidal/homicidal thoughts/behaviors, completion of a suicide safety plan, or consultation with ED mental health providers. In collaboration with Mental Health, completes the assessment of Veterans that are determined to be intermediate or high acute risk on the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE) and are safe to be discharged home for the Safety Planning in the Emergency Department (SPED) measure. The documentation that must be completed includes the CSRE and Suicide Prevention Safety Plan note templates in CPRS. Assessment and documentation must be completed on all Veterans admitted to the medicine/surgery units or transferred to a community psychiatric hospital. Provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Incumbent teaches and mentors staff and students in the specialty area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure. Serves as a liaison with community agencies, assists Veterans with referrals for services from community and government agencies, and helps coordinate these services. Works collaboratively with Homeless Veterans Program to assist homeless Veterans in finding transitional/permanent housing. Assists homeless Veterans in connecting to resources and providing referrals. Establishes and maintains positive and productive working relationships with community partners, Mental Health agencies/programs, shelters, providers and resource agencies for homeless services. Consulted regarding allegations of abuse and neglect and will follow the protocol of the VA Medical Center including mandatory reporting to Adult and Child Protective Services as necessary and clinically appropriate. Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and Advance Directives. This includes the incumbent’s knowledge of the process for accessing and/or coordinating community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community programs. Attends all appropriate meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, other committees or workgroups as appropriate, etc.) and performs other duties as required. The incumbent collaborates in the performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. The incumbent participates in activities to obtain feedback from Veterans and work to enhance services, making necessary adjustments when needed. Possesses and demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Accepts additional duties and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or Veterans’ needs. Completes other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Nights/Weekends/Holidays, Compressed/Flex Tour 10:00a-8:30p Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. 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-year 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed. 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. Veterans’ Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.