Social Worker

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The first cut-off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 04/26/2024. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 04/30/2024. Eligible applications received after 04/26/2024 date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work:

The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is a consolidated health care system that includes VA Medical Centers in Montgomery and Tuskegee Alabama as well as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Dothan Alabama, Ft. Novosel Alabama, Monroeville, Alabama, Columbus Georgia and Montgomery VA Clinic.

• Responsible for the overall function of program development, recruitment of Veteran patients, case management, networking with community resources, and coordination of care with the psychiatrist and medical staff on site as well as various departments at CAVHCS and community facilities in the primary service area.
• Responsible for completing structured clinical assessments for participants. This requires knowledge of medical terminology, diagnostic categories, and chart review.
• Performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness.
• Coordinates and/or conducts screening of Veterans for specific programs to determine the appropriate level of care needed for patients not in treatment and the ability to understand the variety of clinical options available through the medical center and local community.
• Provides ongoing treatment and documentation per VA Guidelines and facility policy. The incumbent must have a thorough working knowledge of VISTA/CPRS.
• Documents independently in CPRS electronic medical records, including psychosocial assessments, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referrals.
• Has a primary responsibility for providing education on advance health care planning and facilitates psycho-educational and support groups on a variety of topics for Veteran and their families.
• Has the ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession, provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role model effective social work practice skills, teach or provide orientation to less experienced social workers, develop innovations in practice interventions, and provide clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification. Provides training to Social Work interns, residents and staff from other disciplines. Topics include the impact of psychosocial and psychiatric issues that may directly affect their care.
• Receives and completes consults from interdisciplinary teams and other social workers on complex difficult cases using advance practice skills and expertise. Incumbent is able to provide individual, group, and family evidence-based psychotherapy and advanced level case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with poly-trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, and other serious disorders.
• Provides consultation to referral sources and is responsible for development and maintenance of professional standards of practice and educating others regarding same.
• Interviews and conducts psychosocial assessments to establish veteran's treatment needs, presenting problems, and provide a clinical impression. The incumbent assesses high risk factors, acuity and need for services. The Social Worker interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs.
• It is the responsibility of the Social Worker to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. The incumbent along with the veteran will develop the treatment plan that includes measurable time limited treatment goals. The treatment plan will be reviewed during therapeutic sessions and reassessed as appropriate.
• Treatment planning includes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
• Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment.
• Acts as an advocate when appropriate and feasible while encouraging the veteran and family to advocate on their own behalf thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
• Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Referral to service providers

• Throughout the course of treatment, the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources.
• The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs.
• The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 619717

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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