Senior Social Worker

Summary The incumbent is a Social Worker and serves in a full-time capacity within the Homeless (HMLS) Programs under the Mental Health Service (MHS) at VA Detroit Healthcare System which includes the John D.

Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit and affiliated community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) as well as the Veterans Community Resource & Referral Center (VCRRC).

The social worker will serve as a Grant and Per Diem Liaison for the VA's Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program.

Responsibilities Social Work:
Clinical Responsibilities (60-80%) - Serves as a licensed independent practitioner/social worker as part of the GPD team and is a member of the HMLS Programs interdisciplinary team. - Performs triaging/screening as well as comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, integrating input from the Veteran, their caregiver/family, VA records, and as appropriate outside records, as well as brief assessments when appropriate - Educates Veterans and/or their caregivers about VA and community resources to address their needs - Links Veterans and/or their caregivers to VA and community resources, including individual and group support formats, to address their service needs. - Identifies high-risk patients and connects them with needed resources and services, as needed - Completes diagnostic tools including the Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) assessment and the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) to ensure appropriate housing resources and additional treatment services are received - Consults, collaborates, and coordinates with other staff who provide care to Veteran - Reviews relevant data, assesses the data, develops ideas, and implements plans for improvement - Provides clinical supervision to reporting staff and trainees, as assigned - Ensures compliance with VA policies and procedures, Joint Commission standards, and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), as well as other accrediting/regulatory/monitoring agencies and/or bodies as applicable - Ensures that any gaps in services or in the clinical abilities of the GPD grantee's staff are remedied and/or appropriately referred to another service provider by the GPD Liaison, when necessary. - Meets with each Veteran admitted to the GPD program within 7 calendar days of initial admission to ensure the completion of an intake assessment and service plan. - Meets with each Veteran participating in the GPD program at least once every 90 calendar days to assess progress toward the Veteran's goals. - Meets with any Veteran on an extension or exhibiting challenges with securing permanent housing at least every 30 days to facilitate the attainment of permanent housing - Collaborates with other VA programs and local community agencies to ensure services for homeless Veterans - Ensures all HOMES documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner. Administrative Responsibilities (20-40%) - Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measures within the assigned program(s) using a data-driven quality assurance process, in particular, monitoring outcome measures and metrics. - Serves as the primary resource for GPD program information for both the GPD grantee and the VA medical facility staff. - Reads and enforces the grantee's approved GPD grant application - Authorizes per diem payments in compliance with the procedures outlined in the VHA Directive. - Reviews and approves extension requests based on the clinical evidence and in accordance with the Veteran's treatment plan - Establishes a reliable billing system with the GPD grantee to ensure accurate and consistent per diem payments are made - Coordinates and performs inspections of GPD grantees in compliance with the procedures outlined in the VHA Directives. - Immediately addresses and documents any allegations of impropriety at the GPD grant site by GPD grantees, their employees, VA medical facility employees, or the GPD program participants through the use of the appropriate VA mechanism, (i.e., VA Patient Representative, Quality Management, Board of Inquiry or Office of Inspector General (OIG). Education and Research Responsibilities (0-5%) - Facilitates the training of medical students, medical and psychiatric residents, nursing students, fellows, and other graduate or post-graduate trainees, as appropriate. Other Significant Responsibilities (0-5%) - Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. - Represents social work on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. - Represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community groups/events and committees. - Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule:
Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):

Not Authorized Telework:

Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #:
91987 Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part).

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 to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.

Experience/Education.

The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice.

Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.

Licensure/Certification.

Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

United States Citizenship:
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

Grade Determinations:

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations.

This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management.(b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.(c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.(d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.(e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.

References:
VA Handbook 5005 APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12

Preferred Experience:
Previous Experience with Homeless Veterans, Budget/Fiscal Experience, COR certification.

Fiscal Experience Program Oversight Experience Experience with the homeless population Physical Requirements:
Ability to physically access various treatment settings within the facility. Ability to use computers frequently/continuously throughout the day for data input and communication. Ability to use the phone. Ability to walk up and down steps. Ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to walk long distances in connection with community and street outreach. May require light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds) and climbing stairs as needed. The position will involve driving a motor vehicle.

Possession of a current and valid driver's license is a requirement as the incumbent is required to provide services in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, and St.

Clair County. Ability to transport Veterans to/from community partners and the VA Medical Center.

Since work will take place indoors and outdoors, the ability to drive in various weather and tolerate exposure to excessive cold.

Ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to walk and climb up and down steps. Ability to transport Veterans to/from community partners and the VA Medical Center.

Education IMPORTANT:
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:
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:
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at Applicant written complaints should include the following:

Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).

Date of contact.

Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.

Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.

---