Address
Form of workSummary
The incumbent Social Worker independently functions within the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) Program which falls within the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs of the Mental Health Service Line.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
ALL US CITIZENS
ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES: This position is being filled using the hard to fill position memo dated 10/3/2023 which waives Veterans Preference for hard to fill Hybrid vacancies. Veterans are still encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.
Videos
Duties
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Screening and Assessment -
The Social Worker may be required to assess and screen Veterans in the HUD/VASH program. The assessment is made by meeting with the Veteran, reviewing appropriate VA records, contacting appropriate VA and community providers, and collaborating with family members and supports as necessary. The goal of the assessment is to identify the Veteran's strengths, vulnerabilities, internal/external supports, and barrier to securing and maintaining adequate housing.
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker develops psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the Veteran, family members, and/or significant others. This plan is developed in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on the psychosocial assessments, which include goals for clinical treatment.
Resource Development - The Social Worker is responsible for developing and maintaining a catalog of VA and community resources. The worker will meet with individual agencies to introduce the HUD/VASH program, and to develop positive working relationships to facilitate the referral process. The Social Worker will establish appropriate referral sites for housing placements.
Outreach - The Social Worker performs regular outreach activities to area shelters and other community agencies serving homeless Veterans. The Social Worker conducts field interviews, assessments and makes referrals for appropriate services and care.
Advocacy- Each homeless Veteran has a number of obstacles that get in the way of maintaining permanent housing. The Social Worker's role is to advocate on behalf of the Veteran and work to break existing barriers to treatment.
Crisis Intervention - The incumbent is well skilled in providing crisis intervention. This includes crisis related to substance abuse, behavioral issues, loss of housing, and any other crisis situation. The Social Worker will make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans in collaboration with the Veteran as well as treatment teams in response to situations. The worker will assist with appropriate referrals for inpatient or outpatient treatment to help individuals maintain in their housing.
Education/Health Promotion and Prevention - The Social Worker provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, and Advance Directives/Living Wills. The Social Worker will also provide education to the Veteran's family and children. This teaching may take place on an individual basis or they may be the agenda for a HUDN ASH case management group.
Coordination of Non-Institutional and Institutional Services -The Social Worker is responsible for the coordination of VA and non-VA services and programs, including inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, mental health, medical services, and in-home services.
Supportive Counseling-As part of the HUDNASH program, each Veteran will receive supported counseling on an individual and group basis.
Administrative Responsibilities- The Social Worker is responsible for record keeping, data collection, monitoring of patient and program indicators, performance measurements and organization of program procedures. The Social Worker develops working relationships with designated Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) toward the issuance of housing vouchers and reviews agreements between landlords, PHA's and the VA. The Social Worker identifies aspects of successful program operations that can be used for better program functioning and improvement of similar programs. The Social Worker will be responsible for documenting all telephone and person-to-person contacts in the Veteran's VA medical record using appropriate formats and templates.
Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching and Mentoring- The Social Worker will continually monitor and assess the program for best practices and maximum efficiency.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Ad-hoc telework available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F04830
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Hannah.Neilson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
Grade Determination:
The Central Western Massachusetts VA Medical Center Healthcare for Homeless Program is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment. We demonstrate this commitment in all of our work, not limited to program development and improving the quality of services to our veterans. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
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).
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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 ...
The incumbent Social Worker independently functions within the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) Program which falls within the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs of the Mental Health Service Line.
This job is open to
- Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency. - The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
ALL US CITIZENS
ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES: This position is being filled using the hard to fill position memo dated 10/3/2023 which waives Veterans Preference for hard to fill Hybrid vacancies. Veterans are still encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.
Videos
Duties
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Screening and Assessment -
The Social Worker may be required to assess and screen Veterans in the HUD/VASH program. The assessment is made by meeting with the Veteran, reviewing appropriate VA records, contacting appropriate VA and community providers, and collaborating with family members and supports as necessary. The goal of the assessment is to identify the Veteran's strengths, vulnerabilities, internal/external supports, and barrier to securing and maintaining adequate housing.
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker develops psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the Veteran, family members, and/or significant others. This plan is developed in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, based on the psychosocial assessments, which include goals for clinical treatment.
Resource Development - The Social Worker is responsible for developing and maintaining a catalog of VA and community resources. The worker will meet with individual agencies to introduce the HUD/VASH program, and to develop positive working relationships to facilitate the referral process. The Social Worker will establish appropriate referral sites for housing placements.
Outreach - The Social Worker performs regular outreach activities to area shelters and other community agencies serving homeless Veterans. The Social Worker conducts field interviews, assessments and makes referrals for appropriate services and care.
Advocacy- Each homeless Veteran has a number of obstacles that get in the way of maintaining permanent housing. The Social Worker's role is to advocate on behalf of the Veteran and work to break existing barriers to treatment.
Crisis Intervention - The incumbent is well skilled in providing crisis intervention. This includes crisis related to substance abuse, behavioral issues, loss of housing, and any other crisis situation. The Social Worker will make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans in collaboration with the Veteran as well as treatment teams in response to situations. The worker will assist with appropriate referrals for inpatient or outpatient treatment to help individuals maintain in their housing.
Education/Health Promotion and Prevention - The Social Worker provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, and Advance Directives/Living Wills. The Social Worker will also provide education to the Veteran's family and children. This teaching may take place on an individual basis or they may be the agenda for a HUDN ASH case management group.
Coordination of Non-Institutional and Institutional Services -The Social Worker is responsible for the coordination of VA and non-VA services and programs, including inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, mental health, medical services, and in-home services.
Supportive Counseling-As part of the HUDNASH program, each Veteran will receive supported counseling on an individual and group basis.
Administrative Responsibilities- The Social Worker is responsible for record keeping, data collection, monitoring of patient and program indicators, performance measurements and organization of program procedures. The Social Worker develops working relationships with designated Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) toward the issuance of housing vouchers and reviews agreements between landlords, PHA's and the VA. The Social Worker identifies aspects of successful program operations that can be used for better program functioning and improvement of similar programs. The Social Worker will be responsible for documenting all telephone and person-to-person contacts in the Veteran's VA medical record using appropriate formats and templates.
Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching and Mentoring- The Social Worker will continually monitor and assess the program for best practices and maximum efficiency.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Ad-hoc telework available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F04830
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Hannah.Neilson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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.
- 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/.
- Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
- English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).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 Determination:
- Senior Social Worker, GS-12
- 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.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- 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.
- Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The Central Western Massachusetts VA Medical Center Healthcare for Homeless Program is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment. We demonstrate this commitment in all of our work, not limited to program development and improving the quality of services to our veterans. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
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).
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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 ...
