Social Worker - BHIP

Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

• Duties include but are not limited to: Incumbent is a professional social worker assigned to the mental health clinic within the Salisbury VA Health Care System. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans referred to the MHC. The incumbent completes thorough psychosocial assessments as part of the consult process when the Veteran is initially referred to the MHC. Other social work services include short-term solution focused counseling with individuals and families who may be in crisis, supportive counseling, and referral for resources and benefits. The incumbent: Must have a high level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans in the MHC and/or their families. The incumbent is able to independently work with veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems. Must independently complete thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and/or their families. The incumbent must be able to utilize this assessment in facilitating the veteran's maximum use of treatment for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable. Must actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and actively participate through collaboration with veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of a resident centered treatment plan. Must possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Must collaborate with Medical Center mental health inpatient staff or community agencies to ensure continuity of mental health services for veterans in need of discharge follow up care. Incumbent will meet with veterans/family members as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. Must serve as a liaison between veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services. This involves coordination of veteran and family involvement in the development of treatment plans. Must provide consultation and education to veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives. This includes the incumbent's knowledge of the process for accessing and/or coordinating community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community programs. Must be available to provide consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the veteran's health care planning, compliance with treatment, and discharge planning. Must possess skills and knowledge to provide case management services to veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care. The incumbent will be able to appropriately utilize principles of human growth and development over the life span and will be able to assist veterans in coping with the loss and grief experiences from disability and terminal illness. Must maintain knowledge of veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact james.grimm@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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