Social Worker -Health Care for Homeless Veterans HCHV Outreach Specialist

Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure.

Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations.

This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements for this occupation, do you possess all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities? (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals.

This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge 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 Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires 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) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.

NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds. (c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. (d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. (e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

Preferred Experience

Masters degree in Social Work. Experience working with homeless population or mental health/ substance use disorders. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or others.

This position requires a valid state driver's license and local travel to provide community-based care to Veterans. The position requires significant travel in the community, through use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements, to meet with representatives/stakeholders who provide assistance and support to Veterans in clinics, medical centers, Community Clinics, etc.

This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Works with other VASLCHCS programs & services to coordinate between entities & provide direct care, referrals, & follow-up for enrolled Veterans through a continuum of services. Acts as a consultant to other staff/team members. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness & the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to the treatment plan.

• Establishes & maintains therapeutic relationships with homeless Veterans & as appropriate, their families.
• Coordinates community resource referrals & community-based services, including information & referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs.
• Assists Veterans referred to non-case-managed HUD vouchers with the application process.
• Assists in providing support & resources to Veterans who do not qualify for homeless program services due to being over income.

Coordinates, triages, & responds to requests from the National Homeless Hotline, consults, phone calls/messages, & community referrals, & coordinates follow-up for care provision and closeout. Responds to incoming referrals from all sources including but not limited to the following: messages on outreach voicemail, National Homeless Hotline, community partners, family members, email, etc.

Assists in coordinating a walk-in clinic for homeless Veterans on the VA campus, including participation from other VA programs and community partners. Assists with & participate in community events including the annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down, Point-In-Time Count (or PIT Count), & other events & activities directly to outreach to Veterans who are literally and/or chronically homeless. Facilitates referrals based upon the Veterans' needs and eligibility.

• Conducts specialty assessments, triage screenings, & evaluations as needed.
• Completes biopsychosocial assessments to assess & determine appropriate care and treatment for diverse Veterans.
• Provides outreach & crisis intervention services to homeless Veterans in the community, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint of homelessness.
• Conducts assessments of needs and psychosocial barriers to collaborate with the Veteran in developing a plan of care to address identified goals.

Utilize plan of care to guide treatment & service coordination or case management to support Veteran's increased self-sufficiency & goal achievement. Updates plan of care when goals are achieved, there are significant clinical changes or diagnostic changes, & /or the Veteran identifies new goals. Applies psychosocial diagnoses to the provision of care and treatment. Coordinate services for Veterans, facilitate case conferences, & serve as a liaison to family members & caregivers.

Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family/caregiver, interdisciplinary treatment team, & appropriate community partners. Provides psychosocial interventions & measures outcomes to interventions. Works with Veterans & their families, as appropriate, who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, & social problems utilizing individual, group, family counseling, & psychotherapy skills.

Participates in outreach efforts to encourage homeless Veterans to engage in care. Outreach locations may include the following: homeless shelters, resource centers, libraries, parks, streets, homeless camps, & other places not meant for human habitation. Participates in consultation, advocacy, & support to help Veterans achieve stated treatment goals. Acts as an advocate with appropriate VA & community service providers & agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran.

• Assists in tracking outreach contacts by entering them in appropriate logs, databases, & programs (such as Microsoft Excel, the electronic health record, or HOMES).
• Evaluates own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, & other organizational means.
• Communicates orally & in writing, with people from varied and diverse backgrounds.

Transports Veterans in government vehicles in support of meeting the goals identified in the Veteran's treatment plan & /or assisting the Veteran with access to care. Handles conflict & problems in dealing with the customer constructively & appropriately. Supports the goals & mission of the HJCR Program. This will include supporting, encouraging, & providing coverage across services throughout the program.

Possess & maintain a current, valid state driver's license Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: May Be Available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 52351A; 52352A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized