Social Worker (Mental Health Intensive Case Management Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement)

Summary

MHICM: The clinical and program activities assumed under this position are conducted as part of ICMHR Program. MHICM RANGE clinicians execute the same duties, but with a focus on Veterans residing in more rural areas. The goal of MHICM and MHICM RANGE is to develop, implement, and assess the benefit of a behaviorally oriented program of psychosocial rehabilitation, intensive case management, and community-based treatment for chronic mentally ill Veterans.

Duties

Major Duties: Provide intensive case management services to assigned Veterans and significant others, consistent with the goals and methods of ICMHR. Work will be conducted in the community and in Veteran’s homes. Independent decision making will be required to provide treatment to Veterans diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness. Utilizes knowledge of theories and modalities, such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in the specialized treatment of Veterans with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). Independently conducts psychosocial assessments and evidence-based treatment interventions to a wide variety of Veterans from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, education and other diversified backgrounds. Independently implements a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Provides consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. 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/caregiver, and interdisciplinary treatment team, the social worker facilitates the delivery of health care services. Provides professional, independent social work services to Veterans with Severe Mental Illnesses. Provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Provides a range of interventions and evidence-based treatment modalities to include individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy. Incumbent will complete required clinical forms for monitoring service delivery and outcomes as determined by the ICMHR Program Director as well as staff at the Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC). Supports CARF and Measurement Based care by administering measures that will assist with tracking progress of Veteran treatment and goals. Provides outreach and assertive provision of services to treatment resistant members. Engages in mobilization of environmental and organizational supports, including family members, professionals, and other interested parties. For example, provides individual, family, and group therapies as well as educational programs for Veterans, families, and staff. Also responsible for linking members to other VA programs and to community resources. Works assertively and consistently with inpatient teams to assure continuity of care by providing consultation regarding clinical needs, treatment plans, and case management services for assigned Veterans. Works assertively to promote appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and expeditious discharge of assigned members, consistent with program goals and with the individual treatment plans. Works with other clinical programs and product lines that share in the care of assigned ICMHR members, including but not limited to each product line and other recovery programs. In pursuit of programmatic and treatment goals, maintain effective working relationships with other professional and administrative personnel both within the Medical Center and in the community. Assesses Veterans for safety in an on-the-spot evaluation prior to transporting that Veteran in a government vehicle. Procedures for the safe transport of Veterans will be followed in accordance with Social Work Service guidelines and ICMHR Program SOP. 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. All clinical decisions will be discussed with clinical supervisor while the incumbent is under supervision. Completes other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30AM – 4:00PM Telework: Available, Ad-Hoc only. Travel: 50% will be required. 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. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to safely operate a government vehicle 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.

Education

Qualification continued: Preferred Experience and Certifications EBP Certification Prior experience in similar role or with population served Clinical supervision certification Quality or utilization management experience Former VA Trainee Licensed to practice at independent practice Level Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Pre-Employment/Post-Employment Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.