This position is the primary point of contact for Veterans who present unscheduled to the Homeless Outreach Clinic. Social Worker is responsible for providing the full continuum of Homeless Program services necessary to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated. Acts as primary coverage and back up for various Homeless program absences. Also the primary responder to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans Hotline Referrals. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 worker 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. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Exception: May waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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: GS-9: Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. 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. In addition to the experience and licensure or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Preferred Experience: Working with people experiencing homelessness and experience in VA Homeless Programs. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying, use of fingers, operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, specific visual requirements for driving government operated vehicle and using computer screen, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Work requires working outside and inside, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working closely with others, and working alone. ["This position may filled by either a Social Worker or LPMHC:\n- LPMHC can apply at USAJOBS - Job Announcement Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-11 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Clinical Assessment Evaluates each Veteran's situation, abilities, and capabilities, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion including an assessment of vulnerability and priority for re-admission. Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan and performs a thorough assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness. Interviews the Veteran and/or their family members to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veterans functioning and health. Reviews all data, subjective and objective and makes a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths. Use professional judgment and practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis and determination as to the Veteran's need for referrals to the various VA homeless programs or community providers. Comprehensive Clinical Services Acts as primary coverage for extended Homeless program staff leave. Using known resources, makes initial and continuing decisions coordinating the Veteran's care through linking and referral to VA medical facilities or Regional Offices and other VA and non-VA services. Demonstrates acceptance, interest, and encouragement and includes the Veteran in the individual's course of treatment. Understands disparate values and reaches Veterans and their families from different social and ethnic groups while communicating confidence in the Veteran's ability and worth. Implements the Housing First model within the HUD-VASH program. Provides referral to VA medical and mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs. Documents in the medical records diagnoses, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referral. Explains Veteran's treatment and progress to third parties as appropriate and manages the quality control and evaluation of the professional services provided. Provides psychosocial services and is accountable for the overall effectiveness of those services. Modifies services to best meet the treatment needs of Veterans and to promote efficient practice and coordinates with other services offered in the treatment program. Offers Veterans and family members or significant others educational services and takes responsibilities for identifying the health education needs of Veterans and working with interdisciplinary team members on a plan to address those needs. Program Administration and Organization Acts as the primary POC for unscheduled walk-in appointments and phone calls. Responsible for program oversight, monitoring and administration. Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations and directly coordinates with VA and various community partners to ensure continuity of care. Responsible to ensure criteria and procedures are maintained. Provides primary input for program participant selection based on structured interviews and clinical assessments. Work involves the exercise of professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical practice skills. Carries full responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of psychosocial and environmental problems. Works closely with the VA medical center's homeless programs, residential and community care programs, to ensure that coordination between these entities is facilitated and Veteran direct care, referral, and follow up is contiguous and based on a continuum of services. Veterans eligible for VA Homeless Program services come from a wide geographic area. Their health and mental health needs may be complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. Services are provided in healthcare settings and in the community. Outreach Conducts and participates in outreach activities. Transports those Veterans to appointments in the community to ensure continuity of care. Maintains current and establishes new relationships with other community-based service providers for the homeless, and when appropriate, represents VA at community service provider meetings. Operates a government vehicle to travel in the service area and local community to perform duties. Some overnight travel to remote parts of the catchment area may be required. Regularly conducts and participates in outreach activities including field interviews, assessments and referrals for homeless Veterans contacted in the community. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]