Summary
This position is located at Lebanon VA Medical Center within the Social Work Services service line. The Social Worker will be assigned to the Home Based Primary Care and Contract Nursing Home Programs providing services to Veterans in Lebanon and Lancaster counties.
Duties
As a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and Contract Nursing Home (CNH) Programs, the individual conducts work activity independently using his/her educational training, clinical experience, VA policies, and Joint Commission standards in administering direct services: psychosocial and behavioral health assessment of patient/family needs in relation to the provision of interdisciplinary treatment planning and service delivery; individual, group, and family therapy and casework services for the purpose of addressing identified needs. This position is responsible for assessments, planning, and provision of case management services in the HBPC and CNH programs. This social worker coordinates a variety of activities including home visits, community contract nursing home visits, outreach, interdisciplinary activities, psychosocial assessments, behavioral health assessments, suicide risk assessments, safety planning, treatment planning, consultation/education to Medical Center staff and community based service providers, the collection and maintenance of statistical data, program planning evaluation and modification. The social worker will provide services both via telephone contact, video telehealth and in the homes of veterans enrolled in HBPC and CNH. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts psychosocial assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members. Completes assessment of mental health needs, including suicide risk assessments and provide psychotherapeutic interventions and safety planning. Participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Utilizes evidence-based practice to provide individual, family and group therapy as appropriate. Provides consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources, advance directives and VA benefits. Acts as a consultant to other team/staff members. Provides consultation/education to medical residents on social work practice and VA policy and procedure. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. Provides case management to veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. Provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes case work, individual, family and group therapy, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Provides wellness/prevention education and facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate. Coordinates treatment and communicate with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for veterans. Assists patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness and death through grief counseling and other evidenced based practices. HBPC social workers may be required to drive patients in a government vehicle and as such will be required to meet driver physical requirements as detailed in Medical Center Memorandum 138-18. Performs additional duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 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 offer 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 only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. 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). 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.