Senior Social Worker (Acute Psych)

Summary

The Behavioral Health Care Line at the New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time Senior Social Worker to provide evidence-based assessments, psychotherapy, and discharge planning for Veterans in the Inpatient Psychiatry Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The position requires that the applicants be a Masters-Level Social Worker able to practice independently in their state of licensure.

Duties

• Duties Include But Are Not Limited To: Performs program and discharge coordination duties as appropriate and/or requested by the supervisor, MHRRTP Social Worker Supervisor, or designee. These may include but are not limited to the following: Oversee the daily operations of discharge planning for Veteran in the Acute Psych ward. Assists in the development of policies and procedures for program operation and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and VACO use. May be responsible for the developing and monitoring program compliance with practice, standards, and guidelines on documentation, workload, ethical practice, and Veteran outcomes. Provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends to enhance the quality of service. May be responsible for, or contribute to, the program's resource and fiscal management, assisting with the development of the annual budget, operating within the budget and various other fiscal related matters. Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs. Initiate and conduct a variety of program or service audits or complete designated clinical practice audits and reports, including productivity assessments. Oversee program operations and evaluations, identifying areas to improve, gathering relevant data, assessing the data, developing and implementing ideas for improvement and evaluating efficacy of improvement. Develops, implements, evaluations and reports on program performance, including assigned measures, monitors, data and other metrics of interest. Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with caseloads and identifying the need for and making recommendations on programs procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences. Inputs data into required program databases as appropriate. Develops monitoring tools to track performance; submits action plans to address area requiring improvement. Utilizes recognized process improvement tools to identify areas needing improvement and strategies for improvement. Incumbent is able to demonstrate the ability to design changes based on empirical findings. The incumbent provides timely and accurate information both verbally and in wiring for reports to the Medical Center Director, Acute Psychiatric, MHRRTP Social Worker Supervisor, and others as indicated by program requirements. Ensures that social work practice in assigned settings is evidence-based and in keeping with recognized social work treatment methods. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.