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Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless and other vulnerable homeless Veterans. The program combines rental assistance for homeless Veterans through HUD and case management and clinical services provided by the VA. HUDVASH utilizes the principles of Housing First, Harm Reduction and a team-based model of care aimed at assisting Veterans in maintaining stable housing. ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 29, 2023 The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 5th, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*** 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. Possess 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. Licensure. Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-12: Basic requirements as described above. Senior Social Workers must posses at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one (1) year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Experience with HUD/VASH programs References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and Eastern Montana service area is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it is necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. ["Accepts referrals for screening and admission to the program, gathers information about a Veteran's status and eligibility for VA medical care, & verifies a clinical need for program participation. Case management and appropriate services for Veterans in the HUD-VASH program based on the Veteran's needs, acuity level, and preferences for care. Reassesses for changes in the Veteran's needs, acuity level & preferences for care at least quarterly. Empowers and respects the Veteran's right to self-determination while helping the Veteran identify & articulate their strengths, needs, abilities & preferences. Serves as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans with landlords, PHAs, VA services & community providers. Coordinates care of Veterans with high-acuity and high-risk mental health & behavioral factors with relevant providers in the VA & community. Utilizes Housing First, Harm Reduction and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement & self-efficacy. Assists Veterans in development of their self-identified goals & assists Veterans in removing barriers to achieve their stated goals. Promotes housing retention and stability. Includes but is not limited to helping Veterans understand their lease agreement, develop money management & budgeting skills, establish healthy boundaries, learn how to effectively communicate with landlords & PHAs & navigate the recertification process as needed. Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws & Executive Branch Standards of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest. Adheres to professional ethics guidelines & completes annual ethics training. Participates in Homeless Program conference calls, monthly national HUD-VASH calls and VISN calls. Develops relationships with the local Continuum of Care & actively participates in Coordinated Entry case conference meetings. Follows policies and documentation requirements for CARF & JC accreditation. Responsible for improving professional skills, participating in planning & executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars & participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. Participates in mandatory Prevention & Management of Disruptive Behavior training, reporting all incidents of Veteran threats, aggression or violence including those witnessed in the community and completing required safety training to include suicide risk reduction. Outreach services to engage homeless Veterans, especially those who are chronically homeless & are highly vulnerable. Conducts comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments to ensure appropriateness of placement into the program, determine acuity status & identify needs. Performs site visits of HUD-VASH residences to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Collects & submits HUD-VASH Program participant data within three business days. Documents all contacts in the Veterans CPRS file in accordance with local documentation policies. Develops an individualized Housing Stability Plan with each HUD-VASH Veteran that identifies Veteran goals using their own words & steps to achieve those goals. Assists Veterans through the voucher application process from referral to voucher issuance. Provides housing search assistance to include transportation to view units as needed. Makes regular home visits based on the Veterans acuity level to assess housing stability, social & community integration & recovery progress. Involves Veterans in the development of disaster planning & provides relevant local emergency response resources. Obtains Release of Information consents when possible, with all community providers & housing stakeholders to ensure comprehensive coordination of services & collaboration. Meets regularly with landlords & PHA officials, conducting landlord outreach events. Assists Veterans with pursuing employment to increase their income & integrate into the community. Assists Veterans in determining eligibility & applying for non-service-connected pension, service connected compensation, applying for mainstream entitlement benefits. Provides individual, family & group counseling as appropriate. Assists Veterans in completing Advance Directives. Provides wellness/prevention education as appropriate. As appropriate, supervises the practice of social work students or provides mentoring & training to a less experienced social worker. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the supervisor. Assists Veterans in coping with loss & grief experiences. Maintains familiarity with & responsibility for all performance measures relating to the HUD-VASH Program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8-4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57096-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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