Social Worker (Mental Health

Social Worker Position

The Social Worker position reports to Social Work Service in conjunction with the Chief of Outpatient Mental Health and is located in the Mental Health Clinics (MHC) at Lyons, East Orange and supporting CBOCs, which are part of the Mental Health & Behavioral Science (MH&BS) Service, VA NJHCS. The primary function of the Social Worker is to identify, through psychosocial and family assessment, the social, emotional, interpersonal and environmental needs of the Veteran that may interfere with his/her mental health, and/or impede the Veteran from obtaining his mental health recovery goals.

Major duties and responsibilities of the position:

• Psychosocial Assessments
  - The Social Worker interviews the Veteran, family member and/or significant other to establish facts about the Veteran's current situation. In collaboration with the Veteran, family member and/or significant others, the Social Worker completes an accurate psychosocial assessment considering the effects of acute, chronic, traumatic illnesses/injuries, and common medications.
• Treatment planning/goal setting
  - The Social Worker, in collaboration with the Veteran, develops a treatment plan. This may also be done in collaboration with the outpatient mental health treatment team. The plan is based on the Veteran's goals (needs and/or preferences) using his/her own language. The Social Worker identifies and assists the Veteran's with the use of internal/external supports. Supports being defined as people, places, things or activities utilized by the Veteran to succeed in his/her goals.
  
  The Social Worker, in an attempt to foster independence, provides the Veteran with skill development opportunities to transition or use natural community supports.
• Provision of clinical services
  - The incumbent provides current and advanced range of treatment techniques for the treatment of the adult Veteran patient population while being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the Veteran.
• Referrals
  - The Social Worker uses the VA and community's service systems to interpret data and identify viable treatment options, Veterans can be assisted in choosing from an array of services with appropriate intensity and flexibility. Services are matched with the Veteran's needs and goals and made in a timely manner.
• Evaluation of Treatment
  - The Social Worker establishes and maintains a continuing relationship with the Veteran, family member and/or significant other, evaluating progress towards the Veteran's goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate.
• Documentation
  - The Social Worker documents all visits with the Veteran, family member and/or significant other electronically through the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and complete encounter forms for each visit.
• Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring
  - The Social Worker works within his/her assigned area scope of practice and upholds the profession's standards of treatment, ensuring that all services provided are recovery-oriented in nature and updates his/her social work practice skills, acquiring new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities.
• Advocacy
  - The Social Worker acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.
• Crisis Intervention
  - The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. The Social Worker has access to multiple resources and colleagues to meet the demands of a crisis.

Additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus):
Not Authorized.

EDRP Authorized:
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2

EDRPCoordinators, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more.

Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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).

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 #: 21M13-A.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized.