Supervisory Social Worker (HUD/VASH)

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary The incumbent is a senior social worker and serves in a full-time capacity within the Mental Health Service (MHS) within the VA Detroit Healthcare System. The social worker is part of the Homeless Programs Section. The Supervisory Social Worker is a HUD-VASH Program Team Supervisor. Responsibilities Duties include: Provides oversight of the HUD-VASH program as defined in VHA directives and recommendations Ensures the adherence to VACO, VISN, and local directives, guidelines, and SOPs that pertain to HUD-VASH specifically and mental health generally Develops, implements, and maintains all established and new regulations for the HUD-VASH Program Plans, establishes, reviews, implements, and maintains policies, procedures, and protocols that satisfy accrediting guidelines (e.g. CARF, Joint Commission, VA-OIG, state regulation, etc.) Reviews and implements VA safety regulations and ensures subordinates are trained and comply with these regulations Resolves formal and informal complaints made against the HUD-VASH program, including but not limited to Congressional inquiries, patient advocate inquiries, and Veteran complaints Participates in HUD-VASH program conference calls, webinars, in-person seminars, and all training opportunities as appropriate Conducts staff development programs regarding HUD-VASH protocols, policies, and procedures for mental health and other program staff Supervises (administrative and clinical) all assigned staff to workgroup and provides regular consultation to staff Facilitates the development of team and program goals and objectives Performs chart audits and prescribes corrective action plans when warranted Conducts observations and provides real-time supervision of front-line staff as appropriate Conducts ongoing reviews and appraisals to ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory mandates Sets performance expectations for staff and establishes these expectations through the VA performance plan process Uses progressive disciplinary measures as appropriate Reviews and dis/approves leave requests and coordinates work schedule for his/her assigned team members Represents the VA at community meetings, seeking or maintaining members on relevant boards, councils, and task forces Participates in the Continuums of Care and the By-Name List Subcommittees within VA Detroits service area Facilitates community organization and outreach to alleviate problems that may interfere with Veterans ability to achieve and/or maintain permanent housing Advocates on behalf of Veterans service in MHS before local, state, regional, and federal justice-involved entities Verifies Veteran status and eligibility for participation in the HUD-VASH program Reviews, approves, and/or disapproves admissions, readmissions, and terminations of care in the HUD-VASH program Collects and submits participant information to required databases including HOMES and HMIS databases Executes and maintains releases of information as warranted Provides clinical and case management services to Veterans Conducts biopsychosocial assessments and assessment updates Conducts individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues, including but not limited to crisis intervention Assesses the need for referral for more intensive and/or other mental health services Consults, collaborates, and coordinates with other staff who provide care to Veteran Completes comprehensive Veteran-centered, recovery-focused treatment plans and updates as appropriate/required Completes clinical reminders Provides clinical consultation and review of clinical interventions implemented by direct staff Works with individuals with psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities, which may include acute infections, violent or aggressive behavior, and/or chronic psychiatric and medical problems Links and refers Veterans to other VA and non-VA services Participates in treatment team meetings Documents all clinical contact as warranted including notations in the electronic health record Provides clinical supervisor to staff, health trainees, residents, and interns Involved in the training of medical students, medical and psychiatric residents, nursing students, fellows, and other graduate or post-graduate trainees, as appropriate Complies with criminal and civil conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. Represents social work on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System, as assigned by the Supervisor or the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health. Represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community groups/events and committees. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Available based on department/program needs Telework: Available based on department/program needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92043-0 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. Qualifications Basic Requirements Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part.) Education: Have a masters 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. Note: A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part Grade Determinations: At the GS-12 grade, Supervisory Social Workers typically have significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to medium size professional and non-professional staff, including support staff and professional staff at the GS-11 grade level and below. They are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care line, or multiple facilities. They also provide direct clinical services with or without program coordination responsibilities Experience, Education and Licensure. Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for subordinate staff to qualify for licensure. Their experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. They may have certification or other post-masters degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. Knowledge and skill in management/administration, which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers. Ability to provide administrative supervision and clinical supervision, including supervision for social work licensure. References: VA Handbook, Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-12. Preferred Experience: Experience working in VA Homeless Programs, Advanced practice license including Macro and Clinical endorsements, Supervisory experience. Physical Requirements: Ability to physically access and navigate various treatment settings within the facility as well as in unfamiliar surroundings. Ability to use computers frequently/continuously throughout the day for data input and communication. Ability to use phone. Position is often sedentary, and incumbent must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time. Ability to walk up and down steps. The ability to hear and communicate verbally with Veterans is essential. Work will take place indoors and outdoors. The work involves working closely with others. May require light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds). Possession of current and valid drivers license for is a requirement as incumbent is required to spend time in the community, partnering with agencies and providing services. 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 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.