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The social worker provides direct care/case management Mental Health services to the mental health, substance use, and dual diagnosis Veteran population seen at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System (VAHCS) in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP). This position serves as a resource to other members of the Mental Health multi-disciplinary team and other health care providers within the Health Care system.
11/04/2024 to 01/30/2025
$70,859 - $111,449 per year
GS 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
11
No
No
CBSY-12593453-25-GPA
817382100
This is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current permanent employees of the St. Cloud VA Care System to include the CBOC's.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
Screening/Assessment - The social worker will interview patients and develop a psychosocial assessment of the Veteran. The social worker may gather and evaluate information from sources other than the patient, with the patient's consent, to validate patient reports and provide a more comprehensive assessment. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the Veteran's functional status. The social worker will also develop a record of patient history (Integrative Summary or Interpretive Summary), psychosocial assessment and psychosocial diagnosis for each assigned patient.
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - It is the responsibility of the social worker, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan based on assessment data and the input from the Veteran. The treatment plan will include measurable goals, objectives and treatment methods based upon the patient assessment. The treatment plan will be used to direct a course of treatment.
Providing Information and referral - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker will maintain expertise 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.
Resource development - The social worker will remain apprised of changing and emerging Veteran needs. The social worker will identify service gaps and collaborate with others within the VAHCS and/or community to encourage development or modification of services necessary to meeting the needs of Veterans.
Advocacy - The social worker will recognize potential barriers Veterans may face when attempting to access services and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and/or family. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
Crisis Intervention - The social worker will make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans in MH RRTP. This includes the development and facilitation of written crisis plans, suicide risk assessments, collaborative safety action plans, and assessment of homicidal ideation. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol to facilitate safe and supportive placement for a Veteran on the acute psychiatric unit consistent with VAHCS, Mental Health Service Line, and MH RRTP policy.
Education/Health promotion and prevention - As appropriate, the social worker will provide health care education and/or referral to qualified health care educators to Veterans and their families. The MH RRTP social worker will provide education to Veterans related to Advance Directives/Living Will's and will facilitate completion for Veterans enrolled in MH RRTP.
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services - The Social worker will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred for mental health services. Social worker will educate the Veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on the preferred option.
Supportive counseling - Social worker will provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to assist the Veteran/caregiver in effectively coping with issues of daily living, including dealing with the psychosocial impact of dealing with issues of physical/mental illness and/or addiction.
Administrative responsibilities - The social worker will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. It is the responsibility of the social worker to ensure that urgent medical documentation is available for view by other medical staff, therefore, it is required that the social worker ensure timely co-signature (if needed) by directly contacting the clinical mentor/supervisor, the Social Work Executive, or the immediate supervisor to sign off on the medical documentation. Information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm-nights and weekends may be required
Telework: Adhoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
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.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network 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.
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.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12593453.
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/817382100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
Since 1924, the St. Cloud VA Health Care System (VAHCS) has delivered excellence in health care and compassionate service to central Minnesota Veterans in an inviting and welcoming environment close to home. We serve over 38,000 Veterans per year at the medical center in St. Cloud, and at three Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Alexandria, Brainerd, and Montevideo.
http://www.stcloud.va.gov/
