Social Worker-Mental Health Out Patient

Outpatient Mental Health Social Worker

The Outpatient Mental Health Social Worker is assigned to the St. Cloud VA Health Care System MH ICC. The incumbent is an integral part of the overall VHA health care program and as part of the health care service delivery to Veterans and their families. Social work services provide case management, resource linkage, clinical and crisis interventions to Veterans and their families in resolving the psychosocial, emotional, and economic problems associated with the stresses of illness.

Clinical Functions:

• Conducting behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments.
• Making sound professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and treatment planning.
• Coordinating with internal and external professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care and appropriate/necessary treatment is provided/offered to Veterans.
• Establishing and maintaining knowledge of VA and Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies.
• Providing advocacy to overcome potential barriers to access care/services and when it is in the best interests of the Veteran.
• Providing goals of care discussions, as well as education and assist in the completion of Advance Directives;
  Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation release of information forms; and Guardianship documentation.
• Assessing for signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• Conducting practice in accordance with the VA and discipline specific ethical requirements and practices within the limits of current licensure or certification.
• Completing on-call duties, as assigned and per policy, which may include transportation of a Veteran.
• Conducting Virtual Visits in modalities preferred by patients and utilizing Consult Toolbox functions.

Administrative Functions:

• Possessing and demonstrating ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.
• Possessing skills in using computer systems and the internet for Veterans who choose this modality to communicate.
• Serving on supervisor approved committees, work groups, and task forces at the local facility, VISN or national level. Collaborating in performance improvement processes and complying with performance measures as required by the VA for specific population/program.
• Attending and participating in all required administrative and clinical meetings.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice and VA administration guidelines.
• Maintaining data and statistical compilations to comply with accreditation bodies such as CARF and Joint Commission, and VA health care systems policies and procedures.
• Participating in Social Work Professional Practice Evaluation processes.
• Performing other duties as assigned and can, at times, assist other incumbents or perform special assignments to meet the needs of the healthcare system. The incumbent may be assigned to other areas of need in the health care system, as determined necessary by the direct supervisor and/or the Integrated Care Community (ICC) Director in consultation with the Social Work Executive.

Role
- Specific Tasks:

• Providing comprehensive Mental Health Treatment Coordination (MHTC) services within a team of interdisciplinary providers.
• Coordinating and facilitating the Veteran's overall treatment, viewing the Veteran comprehensively and providing continuity among various services by linking VA and community resources into a continuum of care, incorporating both inpatient and outpatient care, unless treatment requires relocation to another facility, enhancing the continuity of care in a recovery-focused, integrative, rational, proactive, and individualized manner, collaborative assessment of the Veteran's needs, strengths, and challenges, planning specific services to meet the Veteran's identified needs, linking required services, monitoring progress toward treatment goals, and advocating with the patient to ensure needs are met.
• Incorporating a Recovery Model of Care to provide the framework for a collaborative relationship between the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator and the Veteran.
• Conducting Virtual Visits in modalities preferred by patients and utilizing Consult Toolbox functions.
• Appropriately receiving, acting, and processing consults.

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

Telework:
Not Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

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

Support for questions/assistance.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized