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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU This Social Worker position is in Social Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System located at the Brockton, MA campus. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. The Grant and Per Diem Program is an essential and critical part of the VHA in addressing the needs of the Homeless Veteran population. The program is vital for providing safe transitional housing and therapeutic support services for Homeless Veterans. VA Medical Centers must ensure that Homeless Veterans in community based funded programs are receiving quality services in a timely manner. Such services can promote an improved quality of life for a Homeless Veteran. The GPD Liaison Coordinator performs at an advanced clinical and supervisory independent practice level with the mobile Homeless Veteran population in the community. Homeless Veterans have multi-dimensional needs including, but not limited to, complex medical health needs, dental needs, acute and chronic mental health needs, minimal and/or impaired family and social support networks, legal issues, financial issues and vocational issues. Many of the Homeless Veterans have co-morbid conditions such as poly-substance abuse and dependence, major mental illness including severe thought disorders and mood disorders, such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Major Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and organic impairment. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is responsible for conducting initial comprehensive clinical psychosocial assessments evaluating the Veteran's mental health needs, risk factors, medical needs and social needs, including providing differential diagnoses, at the various community based GPD sites. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is licensed to be an independent clinical practitioner. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is responsible for facilitating, coordinating and monitoring services provided to the veteran, providing oversight and clinical consultation to the case management provided within the GPD Programs to the Veteran, conduct the fiscal oversight of the GPD funded programs and perform the overall administrative responsibilities for monitoring the service implemented by grant recipients. The duties include but are not limited to: The GPD Liaison Coordinator verifies a Homeless Veteran's status and eligibility for participation in the GPD program. The GPD Liaison Coordinator conducts an initial comprehensive assessment of the Homeless Veteran that evaluates the immediate and on-going mental health, medical/dental, economic, vocational, educational, age-specific needs, social and emotional needs as well as the housing needs of the Homeless Veteran. The assessments evaluates not just Homeless Veteran's needs, but obstacles to the Homeless Veteran's ability to engage and/or utilize treatment and services, such as but not limited to the presence of organic impairment, head injury, history of learning disorders and history of non-compliance with treatment. In order to insure a comprehensive delivery of service and care to the Homeless Veteran population, the GPD Liaison Coordinator develops and maintains a current network of referral resources within the Department of Veterans Affairs and community agencies. After completing the comprehensive initial assessment and evaluation for each Homeless Veteran admitted into the GPD Program, the GPD Liaisons Coordinator facilitates referrals to VA and community agencies/resources to address the specific psychological, medical, social, housing, legal, economic and/or spiritual issues of the Veteran. The GPD Liaison Coordinator provides oversight of the Homeless Veteran's care, case management and service delivery at the GPD Program sites which are receiving per diem payments from the VA. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am- 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Maybe authorized at supervisor's discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP: Authorized - Contact Karen Chapman karen.chapman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance on how to begin the application process. Learn more. Functional Statement #: F1046Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTIFICATIONS: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is not part of a Bargaining Unit. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held You may be required to travel to other Boston Campus locations. 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 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. 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. 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. 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. Grade Determinations/Minimum Qualifications for GS-12 (1) Experience and Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters 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 a specialty. (2) Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: The GPD Liaison Coordinator possesses an advanced clinical knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of Homeless Veterans. In order to assess the complex needs of a chronically Homeless Veteran, the GPD Liaison Coordinator must have in-depth knowledge of substance use disorders, thought disorders, mood disorders, cognitive functioning, PTSD, relational issues, resistance (fears/avoidance) to obtaining medical care, denial, and the impact of limited or no financial resources, as this relates to basic needs. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is skilled in interviewing and independently evaluating a Veteran's situation in order to formulate differential diagnosis and service plan. The GPD Liaison Coordinator interviews Homeless Veterans at various GPD sites in the community and is required to assess the Homeless Veteran's needs and functioning without the benefit of accessing the Homeless Veteran's historical information via the electronic medical record, or the benefit of interviewing family members/significant others who could provide information to assist in the assessment. The GPD Liaison Coordinator utilizes advanced clinical training and experience, clinical observation and insight to identify the Homeless Veteran's problems, needs and strengths. The GPD Liaison Coordinator completes a full mental status exam, suicide/homicide risk assessment and the bio psychosocial assessment. With the clinical data obtained throughout the interview, the GPD Liaison Coordinator is then able to make a differential diagnosis to determine priority for services and referrals for specialized treatment such as MST, cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD, Seeking Safety, TBI assessment and care, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, OEF/OIF treatment, medical treatment and HUD/VASH. The GPD Liaison Coordinator uses a combination of advanced clinical training, and experience to engage the veteran into treatment. The GPD Liaison Coordinator must be capable of assessing Homeless Veteran's high risk factors and acuity of presenting problems, in order to make a clinical evaluation and recommendation in a community setting. The majority of Homeless Veterans in the GPD Grant Recipient Programs are chronically homeless and often resistant to engage in treatment. The GPD Liaison Coordinator requires a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of theories, principles, practices and psycho-diagnostic techniques of clinical social work practice to engage the Homeless Veteran in treatment and care that could improve the Homeless Veteran's quality of life. The GPD Liaison Coordinator functions as the primary resource for the GPD Program Grant recipients. The GPD Liaison Coordinator functions as a mediator between multiple systems including, but not limited to the Veteran, the GPD Program Grant Recipient provider, the GPD Central Office, VA Medical Center Director as well as many other community/national organizations. The ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing is an essential part of the GPD Liaison Coordinator position. The GPD Liaison Coordinator provides consultation to colleagues, student interns and providers on the psychosocial treatment of the Homeless Veteran population. The GPD Liaison Coordinator offers professional opinions based on experience and expertise as well as role modeling effective social work best practices. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is able to teach and mentor staff, as well as students, in the treatment of homeless veterans who have complex medical, psychiatric, legal, social, family and economic problems. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is able to provide supervision for licensure. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is responsible for knowledge of VA reporting requirements regarding patient incidents or irregular events that may occur at each GPD program. They are also responsible for any state or federal reporting requirements for elder/child abuse, endangerment of disabled person, domestic violence and deficiencies in the GPD funded program. The GPD Liaison Coordinator upholds all ethical standards of the social work profession as well as that of the Medical Center. The GPD Liaison Coordinator is familiar with policies, regulations, rules, procedures and guidance offered from VHA, The Joint Commission, IG and CARF. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Preferred Experience Working with veterans experiencing homelessness Liaison administrative experience Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending, and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The incumbent must travel in a government vehicle for extended periods of time in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.