Social Worker; Mental Health

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 a complete review of the EDRP application.

The mental health social worker practices social work in the Mental Health Service Line. The advanced practice social worker has responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. He/she is assigned to work with the mental health patient population with highly complex mental health conditions. The advanced practice social worker can be further differentiated from the independent practice social worker because the mental health social worker in this position is often the first line provider treating patients in crisis.

Mental health social workers are responsible for walk-in coverage daily. Walk-in's are often in crisis requiring immediate action. The mental health social worker will manage a large caseload with a number of high risk patients who frequently require crisis management/hospitalization on short notice and with little forewarning.