Summary Social Worker assigned to the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program provides outreach, assessments, referrals and case management services to homeless veterans identified in the community. HCHV Social Worker is responsible for the providing direct clinical and case management services. The HCHV social worker will receive assignment and monitoring from the HCHC Coordinator under the administrative oversight thru to social worker supervisor to Chief of Social Work Services Responsibilities HCHV Social Worker Assigned Duties: Serves as point of contact for HCHV Program within designated community coverage locations, conducting outreach within multiple county catchment areas. Conducts patient intake assessments, referrals, treatment plans, case management notes, consults, and discharge documentation in a timely manner within the medical records standards with Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Homeless Operation Management and Evaluation system (HOMES). 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. Provides clinical social work assessment, intervention, treatment and follow-up, using a social determinant of health framework Completes assigned National Call Center for Homeless Veteran Call Center (NCCHV) referrals timely, which includes initial contact within 24 hours, minimal of 3 attempts within 72 hours. - Completes all required suicide prevention screen and documentation as directed by policy as outlined by Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention guidance. Develops understanding of VA Health Care eligibility and related eligibility for VA Homeless Programs Participates with Community Homeless Regional Housing Advisory Boards for Veterans by Name list and service coordination. Assists with navigation between varying levels of care and conducts comprehensive transition planning Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures to formulate a treatment plan. Completes Advance Directives, Personal Health Plans, Whole Health and Goals of care evaluations and documentation Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area Participation in department on-call rotation and Homeless Walk In clinic Schedule Maintain VHA directive, handbook, Joint Commission and appropriate accreditation body standards. Completes all assigned Talent Management System courses on time. Adheres to VA Expected Rules and Behaviors for Professionalism and conduct. Attends all scheduled workgroup, team, and department huddles and staff meetings, or obtains supervisory approval for excused absences. Maintains all rules as outline for Government Fleet Vehicle standards, including maintain Drivers License Enters leave request proactively and timely in accordance to union agreement. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Must have valid drivers license to operate Government Fleet Vehicle. Must obtain CPR Certificate within 90 days of hire. Qualifications 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11 Level 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39The 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-11.Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Altoona VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.