Social Worker (Mental Health) in Bath

This position is assigned to the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (DRRTP) within the Finger Lakes HCS, at the Bath, NY VAMC. The incumbent is a member of a team that assesses the needs of Veterans in order to plan and provide a therapeutic environment that will assist the Veteran in rehabilitation of optimal levels of medical and psychological health, chemical abstinence, vocational assistance, and securing benefits needed to reintegrate to community living.

The DRRTP Social Worker at the Bath VA Medical Center independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifies and screens patients for psychosocial needs. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities and provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups at the appropriate level of licensure and within current scope of practice. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Incumbent must possess the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measure outcomes of interventions. Incumbent coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Incumbent does this in providing case management as part of discharge planning from the DRRTP. Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Incumbent provides crisis intervention services, addressing the cause as well as the presenting complaint. Coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members.

Has working knowledge and experience with common medications and their effects/side effects, medical terminology, medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures to include acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Incumbent works independently with patients and families experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills.

Must actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and actively participate through collaboration with Veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of a resident centered treatment plan. Must possess the skills and knowledge to provide case management services to Veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care. The incumbent will be able to appropriately utilize principles of human growth and development over the life span and will be able to assist Veterans in coping with the loss and grief experiences from disability and terminal illness.

Independently provides consultation services to other staff members regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans. Provides consultation on the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plans. Evaluates his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Communicates effectively both orally and in writing with professional, administrative and technical staff at all levels. The incumbent functions as liaison between internal and external resources, including community agencies, courts, probation and parole officers, guardians, conservators and providers concerning appropriate notifications.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm with one of the days being an evening shift 10:30am-7:00pm

Compensation & Benefits:

• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not 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 off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
• 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: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 24400-F and 21Y52-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized