Social Worker

Major duties of this position will include, but is not limited to:
Uses a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans and their families/significant others.
Assesses psychosocial problems that cause distress, often impacting the health condition and creating barriers to care. These stressors can include adjustment to the current medical condition, untreated or under- treated mental health or substance abuse condition, economic instability, legal problems, and inadequate housing and transportation.
Receives referrals that typically originate from any member of the interdisciplinary team, from Veterans and/or their families who call or walk-in for assistance, and from community professionals.
Completes thorough assessments to determine the underlying causes of the presenting problem(s), the interpersonal and environmental factors impacting the problem, and its effect on the patient's ability and desire to comply with the treatment recommendations by the multidisciplinary team.
Helps the patient and family to understand the contributing factors to the problem(s), will discuss with them the pros and cons of possible short-term and long-term solutions, encouraging them to make positive and lasting changes to reduce stressors.
Coordinates with VA staff and community agencies to assist in problem solving as needed.
Provides case management with members of the outpatient interdisciplinary team in order to coordinate a collaborative effort to meet the agreed upon goals for a Veteran's treatment needs and include liaison with community professionals regarding needed services for Veterans and/or their families.
Provides following services:
a. Interventions to increase access to care, including transportation assistance and Advanced Directives.
b. Economic assistance, including assistance with medical bills, financial aid services and strategies to increase income (employment, vocational rehabilitation, VA benefits, disability), and/or reduce expenses.
c. Finding the appropriate housing for the patient's level of need (affordable independent housing, homeless shelters, group and family care homes, Veterans Homes, assisted living, nursing homes, respite care, hospice care) and order necessary services to assist with
functional decline.
Has a high level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans assigned to PACT and/or their families.
Has knowledge of the PACT team approach and the role of each health and allied health care team members as well as an understanding of the role of the social worker in the PACT model.
Independently completes comprehensive psychosocial assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families.
Assesses functional acuity of the patient and provide appropriate interventions and utilizes this assessment in facilitating the Veteran's maximum use of treatment for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable.

Work Schedule
: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm


Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):
Not Authorized


Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):
Not Authorized


Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).


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)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.


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 with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
.


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)


Telework
: Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.


Functional Statement #
: 91551A