Social Worker

About the role

Social Worker, serves as a member of Social Work Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. The Richard L.

Roudebush VA Medical Center is a 1a-High Complexity Facility, that serves over 67,000 unique patients and has 13 off site community clinics, in addition to the homeless team, the community based extended care programs and a 50 bed Domiciliary. This Social Worker is assigned to the HBPC Program, within the Geriatric Community Based Extended Care line, within Social Work Service.

What you will do

• Screening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the HBPC Social Worker screens, assesses and addresses the Veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to provide care management to Veterans as they reside in their homes.
• Through collaborative relationships with the Veteran, his or her family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff, the HBPC Social Worker coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of completion of the psychosocial portion of the interdisciplinary care plan.
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, the HBPC Social Worker, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, determines realistic goals that consider such factors as a) safety in the home, b) transportation options/barriers, c) financial resources, d) caregiver/family supports and e) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that ensure that the Veteran can maintain in their home as long as possible.
• Advance Directive Screening and completion - The HBPC Social Worker will screen Veterans to identify the need to provide education and offer assistance with completing an advance directive.
• Referral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a Veteran's recovery and enhance their ability to stay in their homes, the HBPC Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, Adult Day care, respite, etc.) The HBPC Social Worker will educate the Veteran and/or caregiver about the available services and their shared responsibility in accessing such services.
• The Veteran's preferences or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker will be considered throughout the referral and care coordination process.
• Resource Usage/Development - As a developing subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community, the HBPC Social Worker will monitor patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and gaps in service delivery.
• The HBPC Social Worker will communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., the SW Supervisor/Program Coordinator of Community Based Extended Care, the Social Work Chief, the Social Work Professional Practice Council, other VA programs, community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources.
• Advocacy - The HBPC Social Worker will advocate for the Veteran to ensure that he or she has access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community.
• By availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the Veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the HBPC Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran.
• When appropriate and feasible, the HBPC Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran and his/her family/caregiver to advocate on his/her own behalf, fostering independence and empowerment.
• Crisis Intervention - The HBPC Social Worker will assess and intervene in any medical or psychiatric crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises.
• The HBPC Social Worker will work collaboratively with other disciplines on complex cases (i.e. the Psychiatry Consultation Team).
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7am-3:30, 7:30am to 4pm, or 8am-4:30pm, No Weekends/Holidays, No on-call Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 91796-0, 91797-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Travel: Regular, occasional travel required (within your work schedule); must possess a valid drivers license and be able to operate a government owned vehicle

Requirements

• 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.

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week).

AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume. 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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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 1193.01, 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.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement.

Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.