Senior Social Worker

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 located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, Georgia located in Social Work Service. The Senior Social Worker position is a non-supervisory position that reports to the Program Coordinator, Supervisory Social Worker, or Chief of Social Work or designee(s). Duties include, however, not limited to: Independently provide clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level for Veterans, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, who tend to have frequent and severe crises, lack family or an adequate community support network, are poor at self-monitoring, frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or have significant deficits in coping skills. Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. Interprets and explains VA's treatment and benefit programs. Provides supportive counseling and provides appropriate case management services to reduce the Veteran's stress throughout all phases of treatment. Develops and implement safe discharge plans in collaboration with Veterans, families, physicians, nurses, and community providers. Participates in departmental meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and continuing education activities. Maintain knowledge of community resources, healthcare regulations, and social work best practices. Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. Assesses high risk factors, acuity, and need for services. Serves as liaison for Charlie Norwood VA Medical Centers Department of Social Work in providing mental health services and case management services in a specialized program. Participates in the assignment of Veterans to treatment teams and programs. Consults with other specialists in planning treatment for Veterans and with co-morbidities. Provides education and support to Veterans and families regarding available resources, treatment options, coping strategies. Takes responsibility for identifying the health education needs of Veterans and working with interdisciplinary team members on a plan to address those needs. Provides orientation and on-going training to Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members. Facilitate staff development programs for Social Workers and takes responsibility in providing opportunities to help staff update their Social Work practice skills and acquire new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities. Serves as a mentor to other Social Workers, particularly those at the entry level. Provides clinical supervision for unlicensed Social Workers and for Social Work associates and is viewed by Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members as a senior clinician with advanced practice skills and expertise. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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). 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 #: 61939F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.