Social Worker (BHIP)
NACSW – North American Association of Christians in Social Work, Chattanooga, TN, United States
Position Title
Social Worker (BHIP)
Posted
24-Apr-26
Location
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Job Summary
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. Program 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.
Admissions and Eligibility
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.
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. Verification of the degree can be made by visiting http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the four accreditation standards.
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 visiting http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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 – GS‑11 experience and licensure. Appointment to the GS‑11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in health‑care or other social work‑related settings (VA or non‑VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Note: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.
Education (Substitution) – In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – In addition to the experience above – candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and coordinate those services.
Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to individuals from diverse socio‑economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other backgrounds.
Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (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 with individuals, families, and groups 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.
Performance Level
This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas—including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area.
Duties
Assess and document identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or intimate partner violence.
Use clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives.
Act as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.
Independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members—identifying the Veteran’s strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity.
Collaborate with Veteran, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary treatment team to facilitate delivery of health care services.
Identify family/caregiver stressors, conduct assessment, and provide specific interventions.
Provide case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services—incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including facilitating psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
Link the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities to maximize independence, health, and well‑being.
Conduct timely assessment of at‑risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate.
Provide interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers experiencing a wide range of complicated medical‑behavioral health‑financial‑legal issues.
Provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy.
Formulate and implement treatment plans with measurable, achievable goals.
Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community.
Provide subject‑matter consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment of Veterans.
Establish and maintain ongoing education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff.
Actively participate in weekly caseload consultation with the BHIP team lead and seek additional consultation as clinically indicated.
Assist the BHIP team lead in tracking and monitoring veterans with high‑risk flags for suicide or who are at risk.
Monitor veteran progress using validated patient‑reported outcome measures and review patient status for changes in treatment.
Provide education and brief interventions using evidence‑based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused strategies.
Participate in relapse prevention planning, transitioning from active treatment to maintenance.
Occasionally complete BHIP intake assessments, lead or co‑lead BHIP groups, or provide coverage within Mental Health Acute Care Clinic.
Maintain timely and thorough documentation of all patient interactions.
Function as a subject matter expert on clinical and other support services within BHIP and other programs.
Use a systems approach addressing clinical needs and psychosocial deficits that may interfere with treatment.
Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision‑making.
Develop/enhance educational materials and use marketing strategies to promote BHIP CoCM services.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, VA leadership, and interdisciplinary team members.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands are generally minor and sedentary. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items.
Use of a computer and standard office equipment.
Emotional demands can be stressful when working with Veterans and their families/caregivers.
Self‑awareness is essential.
Benefits and Compensation
Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be considered for unique qualifications.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment—eligible for a subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children (up to $416.66 monthly maximum).
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
Federal insurance: Health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care.
Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70972F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Application Instructions
The application is available through the agency’s online portal. Please refer to the standard application procedures.
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity. The VHA offers a wide range of services including surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy, among others. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Worker (BHIP)
Posted
24-Apr-26
Location
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Job Summary
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. Program 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.
Admissions and Eligibility
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.
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. Verification of the degree can be made by visiting http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the four accreditation standards.
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 visiting http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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 – GS‑11 experience and licensure. Appointment to the GS‑11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in health‑care or other social work‑related settings (VA or non‑VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Note: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.
Education (Substitution) – In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – In addition to the experience above – candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and coordinate those services.
Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to individuals from diverse socio‑economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other backgrounds.
Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (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 with individuals, families, and groups 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.
Performance Level
This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas—including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area.
Duties
Assess and document identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or intimate partner violence.
Use clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives.
Act as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.
Independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members—identifying the Veteran’s strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity.
Collaborate with Veteran, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary treatment team to facilitate delivery of health care services.
Identify family/caregiver stressors, conduct assessment, and provide specific interventions.
Provide case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services—incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including facilitating psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
Link the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities to maximize independence, health, and well‑being.
Conduct timely assessment of at‑risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate.
Provide interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers experiencing a wide range of complicated medical‑behavioral health‑financial‑legal issues.
Provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy.
Formulate and implement treatment plans with measurable, achievable goals.
Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community.
Provide subject‑matter consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment of Veterans.
Establish and maintain ongoing education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff.
Actively participate in weekly caseload consultation with the BHIP team lead and seek additional consultation as clinically indicated.
Assist the BHIP team lead in tracking and monitoring veterans with high‑risk flags for suicide or who are at risk.
Monitor veteran progress using validated patient‑reported outcome measures and review patient status for changes in treatment.
Provide education and brief interventions using evidence‑based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused strategies.
Participate in relapse prevention planning, transitioning from active treatment to maintenance.
Occasionally complete BHIP intake assessments, lead or co‑lead BHIP groups, or provide coverage within Mental Health Acute Care Clinic.
Maintain timely and thorough documentation of all patient interactions.
Function as a subject matter expert on clinical and other support services within BHIP and other programs.
Use a systems approach addressing clinical needs and psychosocial deficits that may interfere with treatment.
Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision‑making.
Develop/enhance educational materials and use marketing strategies to promote BHIP CoCM services.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, VA leadership, and interdisciplinary team members.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands are generally minor and sedentary. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items.
Use of a computer and standard office equipment.
Emotional demands can be stressful when working with Veterans and their families/caregivers.
Self‑awareness is essential.
Benefits and Compensation
Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be considered for unique qualifications.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment—eligible for a subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children (up to $416.66 monthly maximum).
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
Federal insurance: Health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care.
Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70972F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Application Instructions
The application is available through the agency’s online portal. Please refer to the standard application procedures.
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity. The VHA offers a wide range of services including surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy, among others. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr