Social Worker

The Women Veterans Program Perinatal Social Worker is a professional social worker assigned to the VA NCHCS Women Veterans Program (WVP) under the Chief of Staff. The position functions a member of the multidisciplinary Women Veterans Program including the Maternity Care Nurse Coordinator and Postpartum/Lactation Nurse Coordinator as well as the larger Women Veterans Program team. Social Work Services are carried out in full accordance with specific program goals and broad objectives of the VA health care system. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical: 1. Employs a high level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with women Veterans and their families, being sensitive to the unique issues of women Veterans. 2. As part of the perinatal team, builds and implements perinatal mental health monitoring across VA NCHCS. 3. Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to identify those at high-risk for mood disorders or other mental health concerns and identify social determinants of health. 4. Accepts referrals from the team for any women otherwise identified as needing additional social work support during pregnancy or postpartum period for up to 1 year postpartum, while receiving IVF/Infertility treatments, and/or after a pregnancy loss. 5. Completes follow-up assessments and periodic scheduled check-ins to monitor perinatal mental health and social determinants of health. 6. Works with women and families to assess their strengths and challenges during the perinatal period. Assures assessments and interventions are strengths-based and trauma-informed. 7. Assesses high-risk and crisis situations, formulates crisis plans, and provides crisis interventions, coordinating with WVP team as well as other teams and service lines in response to crisis situations. 8. Provides follow-up intervention services, developing individualized treatment plans, with particular regard for addressing situations related to harm to self, others, or grave disability and coordinates with mental health and suicide prevention coordinators as needed. 9. Provides timely and appropriate interventions for issues identified. 10. Provides referrals to mental health when appropriate, tracking and following up to make sure referrals are completed, and refers clients to other support services or community agencies if necessary Administrative: 1. Attends training sponsored by the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN), VA Medical Center (VAMC), and other NASW-recognized training programs to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities. 2. Attends outreach events as part of the Women Veterans Program, including events that may be held on weekends or after hours. 3. Assists in planning and coordination of any outreach specific to assigned patient population and WVP. 4. As may be required, travel may be part of the outreach including special events in the community and other NCHCS sites. Such travel requires the incumbent to function without immediate supervision or consultation including working after hours or weekends on occasion. 5. Identifies need and creates any additional patient educational handouts, flyers, pamphlets, brochures, etc., going through proper channels for review and approval. 6. Creates and provides educational presentations to VA and community organizations related to position and program. 7. Serves on committees, workgroups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor. 8. Keeps their supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. 9. Assists with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested, serves as a preceptor for social work students. 10. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in using software applications for drafting documents, data management, and other computer systems in use by the VHA. Work Schedule: M - F, 8am - 430pm 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: AdHoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02841F