Social Worker-Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Social Worker-Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): San Juan, Puerto Rico

Salary Range: $73939 - $96116 Per Year

Job Summary: VA Caribbean Healthcare System San Juan, Puerto Rico is looking for Social Worker- Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) who will work within Mental Health Services. The BHIP provides consultation and treatment services to Veterans referred from all services of the VA Caribbean Health Care System (VACHS) who present with symptomatic moderate to severe mental illness and benefit from an interdisciplinary and recovery-oriented treatment approach.

Major Duties:

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Social Worker is an essential team member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). Recommendations and/or treatment are individually tailored for patient's needs, considering standardized therapies and measurement-based care. Collaborative work among interdisciplinary team members, medical and other behavioral health sciences programs is expected. The primary age of patients served in the BHIP is normally between the ages of 18-65 or older, much of whom are men. The BHIP is based on the recovery model and is designed around the principles of flexibility, choice and self -determination. Additional duties include but not limited to: Required to demonstrate teamwork approach skills, individual supportive therapy skills, group facilitation skills such as motivation-based strategies, and cognitive behavioral techniques. Will develop a behavioral health psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Must have an understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric Veteran, and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population. Reassessment is required annually or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's life plan. Measurement based care (MBC) tools are used by the MSW as part of the screening, evaluation and monitoring of patient symptoms and response to interventions. Responsible for participating in the development of the initial individualized treatment plan and setting treatment goals as identified by Veteran with SMART objectives that will be specific, measurable, achievable and relevant for the Veteran/family. Initial treatment plan will be opened and closed within two (2) weeks of the Veteran's first visit to the BHIP during the episode of care. initial treatment plan will be completed by all disciplines within 45 days of index visit or when the social worker evaluation is completed, whatever occurs first. Responsible for the review/update of the treatment plan of the BHIP patients. Cases identified as High Risk for suicide require a treatment plan update every 90 days until the High-Risk status changes. Provide the Veterans, their family/significant others and caregivers with ongoing evidence based therapeutic interventions (individual, group, family and couples therapy). Will facilitate response and proper management of documents related with the State Mental Health Law 408 for involuntary services, this includes but is not limited to, writing of reports, case discussion with the interdisciplinary team and promote family involvement in the process. Work Schedule: Two Different Positions Being Filled so there are two different Tour of Duties: Monday to Thursday 10am to 6:30pm & Friday 8:00 to 4:30pm Monday through Friday 07:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:FS 60758F Grade 9; FS 61319F Grade 11:Social Worker-Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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 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 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Social Worker candidates must have the following: (1) 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 the field of 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. OR 2) Education. 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. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA's), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training. Otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. The GS-11 KSA's for this subject position are; (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. Preferred Experience: Mental Health and coordination of care experience. Required Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written English and Spanish. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted; clear speech; emotional stability; moderate duty. Ability to drive a government car.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/05/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12829371. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-05