Outpatient Mental Health Social Worker

Summary The Outpatient Mental Health Social Worker works within the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) as a Clinical Social Worker at the William S. Middleton VA Medical Center in Madison, WI. This position provides a full range of services including assessment and treatment of complex psychosocial problems resulting from mental illness, chronic and acute illness, senescence or socioeconomic and family concerns. A high level of knowledge about mental health and substance use disorders is required. Duties Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Choose VA: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Conduct weekly intake, bio-psycho-social assessments. This includes determining the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families. The incumbent must be able to utilize this assessment in facilitating the Veteran's maximum use of treatment for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable. Independently deliver individual and group psychotherapy, clinical case management, and evidence-based interventions/treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems. Possess the knowledge and ability to plan, track and implement treatment modalities within an episode of care model, that includes measurement of intervention effectiveness. Must possess a working knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Assess psychiatric conditions according to the DSM-5. Develop treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team within established time frames. Provide coverage for MHC triage social workers and intakes. Complete a variety of risk assessments to include but not limited to suicide, homicide, self-harm, etc. Identify high-risk patients and provide case management and/or assessment services in compliance with the Uniform Services Handbook and VA Suicide Prevention protocols. Demonstrate ability to provide crisis intervention services, including timely and appropriate interventions to prevent harm to self or others, as well as coordination of family involvement when indicated. Consult with supervisor, psychiatrist, Suicide Prevention Coordinators and/or other team members when moderate or high risk of harm is identified. Complete suicide prevention documentation in accordance with established guidelines. Assess for Military Sexual Trauma and link Veteran's to clinically indicated care. Assign Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) to Veterans meeting criteria. Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Provide interventions and duties through a variety of modalities to include: face to face visits, telephone, and video modalities. Provide consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Evaluate practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Hold general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension. Facilitate referrals based upon Veteran needs and eligibility. Contribute to the team or work area by striving to improve individual, team, or organizational performance to better serve the Veteran population. Can provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested, to serve as a preceptor for social work students. Willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or customer needs. Maintains productivity at the established level for the programs for which he/she/they are responsible. Provide duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Mon- Fri, 8:00am-4;30pm; with occasional Saturday Intake and evening based on the needs of the Veterans. Compressed Schedule: Not Authorized Telework: Available Ad Hoc - Based on the needs of the agency and as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Eligible 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. 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. Learn more Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 trial period. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Note: 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 masters of social work. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Experience: At least one year 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-09 grade level. Have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Preferred Experience: LCSW Preferred. Mental health and mental health triage experience preferred. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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 masters of social work. 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. 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. Learn more For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.