Social Worker (BHIP Care Coordinator) - Veterans Health Administration

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred Experience: Case Management Crisis Management Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The GS-11 BHIP Care Coordinator Social Worker is a full-time position assigned to the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic located at the Bath VHA. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and managing the needs of complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans. The responsibilities of this role include case management, advocacy, and coordinating care within the VA or community service providers. This is done in collaboration with other mental health treatment teams providers, and other interdisciplinary treatment teams. Additionally, the provider will conduct mental health triage and treatment matching assessments for Veterans referred to outpatient mental health services, as well as intake sessions for high-risk individuals. Crises intervention is also a part of this position. Duties: Patient outreach and engagement in treatment including the following: Administration of validated patient reported outcome measures Review of assessments and documentation completed by others Development of an individualized treatment plan using standardized algorithms to guide treatment recommendations and support evidence-based decision making Keep current with knowledge of the variety of clinical options available through the medical center and local community about how to refer/engage Veterans Review of initial assessment and treatment plan with the BHIP Provider with Prescribing Privileges, and any therapists involved, incorporating modifications of the plan as recommended Address with the Veteran and BHIP team barriers for the Veteran to achieve completion of outpatient mental health services, barriers to achievement of recovery and psychiatric/mental health stability. Provide education and brief clinical intervention to Veterans using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused treatment strategies Monitor the Veteran psychiatric stability/symptoms using validated patient reported outcome measures Ongoing review of progress and recommendations for changes in treatment, including medication adjustments, utilizing evidence-based algorithms in consultation with the Provider with Prescribing Privileges Psychiatric symptom decompensation prevention planning throughout care, including transition from active treatment to maintenance as goals are achieved Timely and thorough documentation of all patient interactions Provision of same-day access to BHIP care management services Ongoing collaboration with and coordination of the Veteran's care with the trea