<p>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.</p> <p>The Senior Social Worker functions as part of multidisciplinary team, delivering brief, consultation-based services to Veterans, primary care providers, and allied Patient Alliance Care Team (PACT) members. Primary responsibilities include providing brief individual psychotherapy and clinical supervision to Social Work students. Clinically, the focus is on resolving problems within the primary care service context, visits are brief (generally 20-30 minutes), limited in number (1-6 visits), and are provided in the primary care practice area. The Senior Social Worker functions within fast-paced primary care teams and can expect to consult with 8-10 patients per day with the primary goals of assisting PACT members with identification, treatment, and management of mental health and behavioral medicine conditions in the enrolled population. Weekly supervision of Social Work Fellows in the Interprofessional Education Fellowship program is also required.</p> <p>Duties may include, but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments - Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. Interprets and explains VA's treatment and benefit programs. </li><li>Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses - Independently evaluates the client's situation, including the veteran's reaction and ability to deal with it, and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Based on the psychosocial assessment, uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis. </li><li>Plans Effective Treatment - Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members, including goals for psychosocial clinical treatment. Using known available resources and the initial assessment of the veteran's likelihood to accept differing types of assistance, make initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. Arrives at a reasoned conclusion as to the preferred course of agency action. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. </li><li>Implements Treatment - Provides clinical services to veterans and family members/significant others in support of the veteran's treatment. Gives advice, guidance, emotional support, and other assistance. Provides individual and group counseling services, including psychotherapy in some settings. Assists and encourages veterans and significant others in facing problems, thinking them through, evaluating the situation realistically, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems. </li><li>Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring - Establishes a continuing relationship with the veteran, evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. Documents independently in the medical records utilizing paper and/or electronic formats, including psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow up, and referral. Provides orientation and on-going training to Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members. Conducts staff development programs for Social Workers and takes responsibility for providing opportunities to help staff update their Social Work practice skills and acquire new knowledge in contemporary treatment modalities. Serves as a mentor to other Social Workers, particularly those at the entry level. Provides clinical supervision for unlicensed Social Workers and for Social Work associates. Provides training to students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines. </li></ul> <p>Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.</p> <p>Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized</p> <p>Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized</p> <p>Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized</p> <p>EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Karen Chapman, Karen.Chapman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more</p> <p>Telework: Available for Ad-hoc</p> <p>Functional Statement #: F05456</p> <p>Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p> <p>Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required</p> <p>VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU</p>