Summary
The incumbent serves as a Senior Social Worker assigned to the Bristol Community Based Outpatient Clinic (Bristol CBOC). The incumbent provides evidence-based treatment (EBT) and intensive case management services for Veterans at an advanced practice level to promote sustained stability and addresses issues related to the Veterans MH diagnosis and other complex psychosocial problems.
Duties
The incumbent is required to interact not only with the patient but also family, significant others, community agencies, and other staff while providing clinical services to the population enrolled at the Bristol CBOC. This includes high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/ agencies as needed. This is accomplished in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team as appropriate. Clinical interventions are provided through groups, individual psychotherapy, and family counseling to eligible Veterans and their family members to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Duties include but are not limited to: Practices independently at the Bristol CBOC and responsible for independently addressing clinical and administrative functions with little direct supervision due to the nature of the work and the remoteness of the setting. Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and proposes new policies where needed. Practices at an advanced level and independently gathers relevant information to guide practice, including community Social Work standards. Provides specialized evidence-based treatment (EBT) for complex physical/mental illness and a full range of Social Work services for Veterans enrolled at Bristol CBOC and the surrounding CBOCs. Treatment options include individual, family and group psychotherapy, intensive case management, early intervention, supportive follow-up to ensure stability and other services as appropriate. Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine needs of Veterans and family members. Incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Coordinates services and provides case management services for Veterans with poly-trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, and other serious disorders. Provide services to homeless veterans and their families in the local area and ensure linkage to VA and community services. Develops comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran and provides recovery-oriented treatment that address the symptoms and other co-occurring disorders independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning and quality of life. Teaches and mentor staff and students in the special area of practice and provides supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Participates in policy making, goal setting, and treatment service planning discussions with VA programs and community services. Responsible for the collection of statistical data and for reviewing the data to improve performance and delivery of services. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:45am- 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61141F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.