Social Worker (MH Residential Rehabilitation Program) - EDRP/Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

• ***This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 10/5/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. Once a selection has been made and accepted, this vacancy will close.*** Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Social Worker (MH RRTP Case Manager) position within the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) is administratively within the Behavioral Health Service Line. The incumbent will provide face-to-face and/or telemental health (e.g., telephone, VA Video Connect) services to Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MH RRTP) Veterans. Serves as the case manager for assigned panel of Veterans. Completes structured biopsychosocial assessments for Veterans in the Domiciliary for Veterans within identified timelines; typically within twenty-four to forty- eight hours of admission. Completes risk assessments and engages in crisis intervention, as appropriate and necessary. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment. Provides education related to the Veteran's VA entitlements, eligibility, services and programs, as well as community resources for medical- and mental health needs. Coordinates and develops the Veteran's treatment plan, incorporating input from the Veteran, and when appropriate, the family with the Veteran's consent. Coordinates and develops the Veteran's discharge plan, incorporating input from the Veteran and Interdisciplinary team, as well as the family, when appropriate. Collaborates with other service providers in assessing Veterans needs for VA services, programs and benefits; community services programs and benefits; meets with Veterans, individually to educate the Veteran and as appropriate Veteran's family, caregiver, and/or significant other about available services, as well as assisting with obtaining needed services and establishing appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference. Acts as an advocate for the Veteran, and as appropriate the Veteran's family, caregiver and/or significant other; educates the Veteran, the Veteran's family, caregiver and/or significant other about methods of self-advocacy and encourage the Veteran, the Veteran's family, caregiver and/or significant other to advocate on their own behalf to foster a sense of independence and empowerment Provides consultation to health care providers about Veterans, ensuring that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the WTVAHCS. Monitors and documents implementation of the treatment plan, including tracking progress in the care delivered, the outcomes achieved, and the goals attained. *Duties are continued in the Additional Information Section.* Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDRP Authorized: Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Relocation Incentives. Authorized Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time, or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. 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 l…

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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written or spoken English. 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Exception: VHA 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Please see the Additional Information Section of this announcement for details. Preferred Experience: At least (1) one year of experience working with Veterans diagnosed with psychiatric conditions. Experience working in a variety of psychiatric settings and programs. Case management experience. Experience collaborating with key community stake holders to achieve VA mission and goals. Experience developing policy and procedures. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level. GS-09: None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) 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. Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification. Social workers…

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts are not a required document, however, failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified. Must 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. 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. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing/bending/pushing/pulling, in conjunctions with the normal functions of a Physical Therapist. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. GS-11 Assignment Continued from Qualifications: This is the ful…