Social Worker (BHIP)

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Spokane, Washington, United States

Job Description

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. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The first cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 7/7/2026. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 7/15/2026. Eligible applications received after 7/7/2026 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Provide a variety of direct psychological treatment services addressing the complex psychosocial issues faced by the Veteran patients served in an outpatient mental health setting. These direct services include, but are not limited to intake assessment, treatment plan development and implementation, treatment interventions (such as individual, family, couple, or small group therapy, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, case management, education, advocacy), shared decision-making and support group development and leadership. Provide a variety of assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services within outpatient GMH. Assists Veterans in crisis, in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team, Mental Health Clinic, other BHS programs, Emergency Department, and others. Facilitates referrals for patients in crisis, when indicated. Maintain a caseload of patients and, as patients progress through episodes of care, engage in shared decision-making to graduate the patient to more independent functioning. Serve as an active member of a BHIP treatment team that develops, implements, evaluates, and updates individualized treatment plans for identified Veterans seeking care through various BHS outpatient programs. Provide occasional coverage for other areas of activity within BHS or coverage while other staff is on leave. Record clinical information in the patient’s medical record according to prescribed standards. Collect and maintain required statistical information. Participate on a variety of service and facility committees, task groups, or special projects groups as assigned by Supervisor or BHS Chief. May provide training opportunities and either direct or indirect supervision of graduate Social Work or Mental Health Counselor students or other related human services students as directed by the Supervisor or BHS Chief. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses Oracle Cerner Millennium Powerchart and Joint Longitudinal Viewer, the Electronic Medical Record, to access patient information, document clinical and administrative actions, and communicate with both Veterans and their healthcare team members. Maintain tracking system for special projects, and ongoing data requirements. Attend appropriate educational programs, seminars, etc. Participation in an evidence-based psychotherapy training sponsored by the VA will be expected, as will completion of the consultation requirements. As assigned, the incumbent accepts additional and special assignments aligned with program, service, and agency goals. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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: Ad-hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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