Senior Social Worker; BHIP - EDRP Approved

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.

This position is also being recruited for the role of Staff Psychologist – see Job Announcement CAZM-KSB if you want to apply as a Psychologist.

The Social Worker will develop an assessment of the veteran through a bio‑psychosocial framework that includes a diagnosis. The social worker will work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members, and significant others. 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 incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age‑associated illnesses and conditions. The incumbent must have an understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age‑appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric veteran, and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population.

It is the responsibility of the social worker, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team, to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. The initial assessment will be completed by the time of the veteran's third visit for Behavioral Health Services. A reassessment is required annually or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's life plan.

The Social Worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family from the bio‑psychosocial assessment. The treatment plan will be completed by the patient's third visit for mental health services and updated every six months or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs.

Incumbent is able to provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy. The incumbent is able to provide independent case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans.

Work Schedule:

Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus):
Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):
Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized:
Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport, 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 existing pay, 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…