Senior Social Worker - EDRP, Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Summary

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. Program 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

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Senior Social Worker position is an advanced practice role within the Behavioral Health Service Line of the West Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System (WTXVAHCS). The incumbent plays a pivotal role in providing high-level, professional social work services to veterans and their families via telemental health modalities. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation and coordination of a wide range of complex social work services. This includes direct practice, case management, program coordination, consultation, and education. The Senior Social Worker must utilize advanced clinical skills to address the psychosocial needs of veterans and their families, particularly in areas related to severe mental health conditions, substance abuse, trauma, and other behavioral health issues. The Senior Social Worker: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services, including assessment, and uses the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs evaluations for wide array of patients representing diverse diagnostic entities. Provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, as indicated and appropriate for the specific setting and duties of the incumbent, which may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment. Fully and continually assesses mental health disorders and symptom changes, using psychological screenings and assessments. Routinely implements goal-oriented and measurement-based care into practice, using data to inform treatment decisions. Complies with all Behavioral Health Service documentation requirements, including standards for timely completion of CPRS patient contact notes, use of required documentation templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, risk assessment protocols, and proper patient checkout procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Follows service and VA guidelines (e.g., using designated note templates) for delivering and documenting care delivery. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the WTVAHCS. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time[,] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Functional Statement #: 55466-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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/. Education: You must possess a master's degree in Social Work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/ . 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Adheres to all WTVAHCS and Behavioral Health Service policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to risk assessment and reduction practices for potentially dangerous behavior (suicide and violence), timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions. Functions independently as a member of the VA HCS Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Participates as an active Mental Health Clinic team member. Adheres to all service policies and procedures established by Behavioral Health Leadership. Complies with all WTVAHCS and VHA policies and expectations concerning administrative practices, including but not limited to leave authorization, documentation, and completing TMS educational requirements. Complies with national and local performance measures (e.g., SAIL) and facilitates organizational success on these measures at the section or program level. Assists in the selection, training, and supervision staff at lower grade within assigned program area, Behavioral Health Service, or WTVAHCS, as needed. Coordinates with Behavioral Health Leadership and the local EBP Coordinator to ensure EBP programming is well-integrated and coordinated within the broader system. Assists Behavioral Health Leadership in executing ongoing program evaluation and data- driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program. Attends regular Behavioral Health meetings, Medical Staff meetings, and complies with peer review procedures. Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by Behavioral Health and other VA Leadership. Completes annual surveys. Maintains current knowledge of and practices in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC), Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), or other accrediting or governing body requirements. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with provisions of Federal privacy acts and confidentiality statutes. Follows regulations and instructions regarding release of sensitive or protected patient or employee information.