Senior Social Worker - Veterans Justice Outreach
This position is located in the Community Engagement and Reintegration Service, of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS), Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Bakersfield, CA. The Social Worker - Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) will provide services for Veterans who are within six (6) months of release from correctional institutions and are being monitored by the courts also monitored for treatment or problem solving. The Veterans Justice Outreach Social Worker is administratively responsible for clinical programming and daily operation of the program, as well as the management of program data. Assembling pre-evaluation data, interpreting medical record information, reviewing therapy prescriptions, and conducting recreation and leisure skills assessments based on cognitive, emotional, social, and physical evaluations of the patient. Duties include, but not limited to the following:
Completes assessments for Homeless Veteran with Substance Use Disorder and are seriously Mentally Ill, including Women Veterans returning from Iraqi and Afghanistan, elderly Veterans and Veterans with families. Identifies and interviews justice-involved Veterans. In doing so s/he completes needs assessment and determines appropriate referrals, linkage and coordination for VA and non-VA services to enhance functioning in the community, including in transition from jail or prison. Performs work in maximum, medium, or minimum-security correctional institutions usually under a no hostage policy and observes established VA safety precautions while working in correctional facilities and/or in community settings. Collaborates with the Homeless Program Coordinators. Demonstrates knowledge of correctional cultures and their impact upon Veterans, institutional, and community perceptions and behaviors, as well as able to assist Veterans to adopt behaviors appropriate to community living. Provides psychosocial assessments, case management services, continuous quality improvement activities, evaluation and consultation, placement services, and referral and linkage to various community agencies. Meets with judges, officers of the court, correctional administrators and staff on a regular basis to design and/or maintain appropriate policies and procedures required for each setting. Collaborates with other Veterans Justice Outreach clinicians to support engagement in care for eligible Veterans recently discharged from correctional institutions. Contacts providers who serve Veterans by contract or formal agreement with the VA, government staff, social, financial, legal, health and mental health agencies, Veterans and/or their families/relatives, Veterans' conservators, friends, employers, landlords, police, attorneys , judges, and probation and parole officers. Conducts active outreach to Veterans involved with the justice system, including those who may be participants, or candidates for participation, in treatment court programs, including Veterans Courts. Utilizes advanced clinical training, insight and experience to interpret data and identify viable treatment options and assesses high risk factors, acuity, and the need for services. Serves as a consultant on the complex processes Veterans encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Participates in the development of a treatment plan for each Veteran contacted through outreach. Conducts individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of substance abuse., psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues. NOTE:
(1) Candidate MUST be able to obtain security clearance to enter court and correctional facilities as part of their official duties. (2) Possess a current/valid driver's license. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, Monday-Friday 8:
00am-4:
30pm Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following:
Citizenship:
Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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 Master of Social Work. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) Licensure/Certification:
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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http:
//vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your copy of licensure, your application may not be reviewed.) Grandfathering Provision (Basic Requirements Only). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (September 10, 2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Preferred
Experience:
Knowledge navigating the criminal justice system. Experience dealing with Veterans and/or individuals with complex biopsychosocial needs. Knowledge of local and VA homeless services. Organizational and communications skills. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Creditable
Experience:
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-MSW degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a master's degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level. Part-time experience as a professional social worker is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training. Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. 2. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. 3. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. 4. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. 5. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References:
VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements:
The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although you may be expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of your day to day activities. Use of a government vehicle is required with this position. Must be able to obtain/maintain a current, active driver's license.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Completes assessments for Homeless Veteran with Substance Use Disorder and are seriously Mentally Ill, including Women Veterans returning from Iraqi and Afghanistan, elderly Veterans and Veterans with families. Identifies and interviews justice-involved Veterans. In doing so s/he completes needs assessment and determines appropriate referrals, linkage and coordination for VA and non-VA services to enhance functioning in the community, including in transition from jail or prison. Performs work in maximum, medium, or minimum-security correctional institutions usually under a no hostage policy and observes established VA safety precautions while working in correctional facilities and/or in community settings. Collaborates with the Homeless Program Coordinators. Demonstrates knowledge of correctional cultures and their impact upon Veterans, institutional, and community perceptions and behaviors, as well as able to assist Veterans to adopt behaviors appropriate to community living. Provides psychosocial assessments, case management services, continuous quality improvement activities, evaluation and consultation, placement services, and referral and linkage to various community agencies. Meets with judges, officers of the court, correctional administrators and staff on a regular basis to design and/or maintain appropriate policies and procedures required for each setting. Collaborates with other Veterans Justice Outreach clinicians to support engagement in care for eligible Veterans recently discharged from correctional institutions. Contacts providers who serve Veterans by contract or formal agreement with the VA, government staff, social, financial, legal, health and mental health agencies, Veterans and/or their families/relatives, Veterans' conservators, friends, employers, landlords, police, attorneys , judges, and probation and parole officers. Conducts active outreach to Veterans involved with the justice system, including those who may be participants, or candidates for participation, in treatment court programs, including Veterans Courts. Utilizes advanced clinical training, insight and experience to interpret data and identify viable treatment options and assesses high risk factors, acuity, and the need for services. Serves as a consultant on the complex processes Veterans encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Participates in the development of a treatment plan for each Veteran contacted through outreach. Conducts individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of substance abuse., psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues. NOTE:
(1) Candidate MUST be able to obtain security clearance to enter court and correctional facilities as part of their official duties. (2) Possess a current/valid driver's license. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, Monday-Friday 8:
00am-4:
30pm Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following:
Citizenship:
Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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 Master of Social Work. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) Licensure/Certification:
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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http:
//vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your copy of licensure, your application may not be reviewed.) Grandfathering Provision (Basic Requirements Only). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (September 10, 2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Preferred
Experience:
Knowledge navigating the criminal justice system. Experience dealing with Veterans and/or individuals with complex biopsychosocial needs. Knowledge of local and VA homeless services. Organizational and communications skills. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Creditable
Experience:
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-MSW degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a master's degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level. Part-time experience as a professional social worker is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training. Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. 2. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. 3. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. 4. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. 5. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References:
VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements:
The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although you may be expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of your day to day activities. Use of a government vehicle is required with this position. Must be able to obtain/maintain a current, active driver's license.
- Department:
0185 Social Work - Salary Range:
$87,612 to $113,900 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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