Social Worker - Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

The Social Worker provides primarily mental health services to the homeless veteran population enrolled in the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MH RRTP) to include as the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans, the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Resident Program. Incentive Authorized Major Duties: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Social Worker provides primarily mental health services to the homeless veteran population enrolled in the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MH RRTP) to include as the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans, the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Resident Program. The treatment orientation of the MHRRTP is cognitive behavioral within a therapeutic community milieu. The focus is on assisting veterans to take responsibility for their recovery, behavior, and treatment in partnership with the professional staff. Conducts screenings and assessments, interprets VHA guidelines and eligibility requirements, and completes a biopsychosocial history and assessment. Develops an appropriate, individualized treatment plan for each veteran assigned to him/her, and meets with caseload weekly. Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding the services available and referrals needed. Decisions are based upon the employee's professional judgment with regards to the individual's rehabilitative potential and possible consequences of less controlled rehabilitative efforts. Documents the patient assessment and all treatment plans in accordance with the requirements of Mental Health Services (MHS) policy and requirements of various accrediting bodies. Provides case management services to all residents enrolled in the MH RRTP where the incumbent is assigned. Provides supportive counseling individual and group treatment, and makes appropriate referrals both within the VA and the greater community. Employs individual and group treatment methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the resident work towards the best way of dealing with their problems. Builds rapport, establishes a continuing relationship with the resident, evaluating progress towards goals, performs follow-up after referral, and adjusts treatment plan when needed. Monitors resident's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment. Completes Suicide screenings and documentation within MH RRTP policy and guidelines. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team and staff meetings. Assists staff in periodic or as needed room inspections within MH RRTP policy and guidelines. Work Schedule: Flexible, Compressed. Monday through Friday 8am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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/. Requirements: 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.