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.
Duties
The VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) is seeking a licensed or license-eligible clinical social worker to function as a full-time outpatient staff social worker in the General Mental Health (GMH) Program at the Jamaica Plain Campus. Within GMH, the social worker will provide clinical case management for a demographically diverse veteran population with psychosocial concerns. The social workers will also provide comprehensive, standardized diagnostic assessments, supportive and evidence-based psychotherapy, and crisis intervention services for Veterans presenting with a wide range of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders (., anxiety and mood disorders, trauma disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, adjustment disorders, psychotic disorders). The social worker may also assist with referral management tasks for the clinic, including receiving and triaging referrals and assigning cases to providers for completion of evaluations.
Care coordination, Treatment planning, and Case management: The social worker coordinates care within VA, and across VA/Community Services. They facilitate the development/updating of treatment, in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with interdisciplinary treatment team. The social worker has working knowledge and experience in use 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. The social worker interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. The social worker develops psychosocial treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, including goals for psychosocial clinical treatment. Using known available resources and the veteran's likelihood to accept differing types of assistance, the social worker makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. The social worker provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team on the course of treatment. These decisions are based on the social worker's advanced practice skills, professional judgment and expertise regarding the veteran's self-care capability, the family support system, the veteran's health care needs and possible consequences;
As part of ongoing case management, the social worker also provides:
1. Resource Development: The social worker is responsible for developing a resource file of VA and community social service programs and will refer the Veteran to needed services. The social worker uses computerized searches to develop this data base. The social worker participates in development of a resource file by taking advantage of on-site visits.
2. Advocacy: The social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, the Social Worker will educate and encourage Veterans/families to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
Supportive Psychotherapy: The social worker possesses the knowledge and ability to independently implement evidence-based psychotherapies (., problem-solving, coping, and emotion-regulation interventions), and provides brief, time-limited, supportive counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. The social worker possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. In accordance with current social work theory and practice, the social worker selects and implements appropriate referrals for individual, group and family systems. Crisis intervention/suicide prevention: As is the case for all VA Boston MH LIPs, the GMH SW CMs will have the skills and abilities to manage MH crisis evaluation and intervention, as needed.. Education/Health promotion and prevention: The social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, advance directives/living will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Continuing Education and Peer Review: The social worker will be responsible for maintaining accurate record of relevant trainings and participate in continuing education in accordance with VA policies and state licensure. The social worker independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and adherence to treatment plan. Work Schedule : Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework : Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # : F00107, F00108
EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required