Senior Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The Senior Social Worker (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program - BHIP) serves as an advanced practice clinician within the Kansas City VA Medical Center's Mental Health Clinic. The incumbent provides independent, specialized, and evidence-based mental health services to Veterans experiencing a wide range of psychosocial, medical, and psychiatric conditions. The BHIP Senior Social Worker delivers comprehensive clinical treatment, conducts biopsychosocial assessments, develops individualized treatment plans, and coordinates care across interdisciplinary teams. The position requires advanced expertise in psychotherapy modalities, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and specialty mental health services, including treatment of high-risk and serious mental illness populations. The incumbent provides consultation, clinical supervision, and contributes to program development, innovation, and evaluation. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Provides independent, advanced-practice mental health and psychosocial services to Veterans enrolled in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), using evidence-based treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy for Depression, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and other clinically privileged interventions. Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, including DSM-5 diagnostic evaluations, identification of presenting problems, strengths and limitations, internal/external supports, and trauma-informed analysis of Veterans' mental health needs. Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable, time-limited goals in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams including Psychiatry, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Team, Transition Care Management, Homeless Programs, Whole Health, Chaplaincy, and Vet Centers; updates plans annually or as clinically indicated. Provides individual and group psychotherapy using evidence-based modalities; delivers psychoeducation to Veterans and families on coping strategies for chronic and disabling mental illnesses; utilizes assessment tools to measure treatment effectiveness and modify interventions accordingly. Offers specialized consultation to interdisciplinary colleagues and trainees regarding psychosocial treatment, advanced clinical interventions, and best practices for Veterans with complex or high-risk conditions; serves as a role model for effective social work practice. Provides clinical supervision to Social Work staff, MSW interns, and less experienced clinicians; delivers orientation and education seminars; contributes to the development of innovative therapeutic interventions and models of care. Delivers crisis intervention services, including rapid assessments, development of crisis management and safety plans, and determination of need for intensive outpatient or inpatient services; ensures appropriate response during psychiatric or medical emergencies. Facilitates referrals to VA and community-based services; serves as a subject matter expert in resource linkage and program navigation; educates Veterans and caregivers on available supports and benefits. Provides advocacy for Veterans and families, interpreting and explaining benefit programs, treatment options, and facilitating Veteran empowerment through independent self-advocacy when feasible. Utilizes telehealth modalities to deliver psychotherapy and clinical services; performs basic troubleshooting; ensures Veteran consent and adherence to patient safety and privacy standards during virtual care; trains less experienced staff in telehealth processes. Completes all required documentation in CPRS, including assessments, diagnostics, treatment plans, progress notes, follow-up, and referrals; manages complex consults using advanced practice clinical judgment. Participates in performance improvement processes, professional peer review, research, clinical committees, and program evaluation; contributes to policy, procedure, and practice guideline development for specialized mental health services. Provides collaborative care across mental health, medical, and community systems; maintains effective working relationships with VA employees, volunteers, Veterans, families, and external agencies; attends required staff meetings and interdisciplinary treatment team meetings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Adhoc Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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. 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to SW Licensure by State English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 (1) Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. (2) Licensure/Certification. 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice Preferred Experience: LCSW-clinical social work licensure, Experience in providing individual and/or group therapy, Experience in mental health care. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

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/. How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Other 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.