Social Worker-Health Care for Homeless Veterans

Social Worker-Health Care for Homeless Veterans

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Miami, Florida

Salary Range: $91214 - $118585 Per Year

Job Summary: Miami VA Healthcare System is looking for Social Worker-Health Care for Homeless Veterans for their Miami Flagler VA Clinic. The Social Worker is the Homeless Program Social Worker and as such, identifies homeless Veterans in the community who are eligible for VA treatment, develops treatment resources and provides case management services.

Major Duties:

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Social Worker provides psychosocial assessment which includes diagnostic appraisal of behavior and adaptation patterns, evaluation of family, economic, lifestyle, community, and psychological support systems. They establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and/or family who may be experiencing a variety of complex psychosocial medical problems. The Social Worker coordinates care and services available to "walk-in" homeless Veterans in collaboration with HCHV clinicians on a weekly rotating basis and establishes productive working relationships with homeless Veterans and service providers in the community. In the community setting, this social worker assumes responsibility for the intake and triage of homeless Veterans identified which involves assessment of the patient's dangerousness to self or others, evidence of psychosis, mental status and the need for psychiatric hospitalization. The Homeless Program Social Worker serves on appropriate community boards and committees and assists in the development of methods to collect/interpret program data and establish procedures for the program evaluation, provides general supervision to volunteers and student trainees who work in the Homeless Program. A valid driver's license is required. Social Worker must provide outreach to homeless Veterans in "dangerous areas" which may be without benefit of police protection. They provide assessment, treatment and planning which reflect knowledge and skills appropriate to the age-specific needs and issues of the patients and /or families served. Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Establishes productive working relationships with homeless Veterans and service providers in the community and collaborates with community providers to establish contact with homeless Veterans during visits to various shelters, missions, and to other appropriate community programs. Have excellent working relationships with the VAMC's administration to facilitate the Veteran's admission to care including establishing eligibility, developing a medical treatment folder, etc. Assumes responsibility for the intake and triage of homeless Veterans when identified. Demonstrate a high level of professional judgment which includes the ability to independently make decisions and recommendations. Outreach involves assessment of the patient's dangerousness to self or others, evidence of psychosis, mental status, and the need for psychiatric hospitalization. Knowledge of substance abuse, as well as formulation of a psychosocial assessment that includes the Veteran's motivation and readiness for treatment, independent living or transitional housing. Ability to function as an effective facilitator between the patient and his/her environment, to make decisions quickly and accurately regarding appropriate disposition or intervention including immediate hospitalization, medical/psychiatric consultation, and mobilization of community and VA resources to meet the patient's financial, social and environmental needs. Effective working relationships with the VAMC's social work staff, particularly in Ambulatory Care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with rotating tours of duty as needed. Cover a rotating holiday or weekend shift as scheduled. 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 #: 30086F; Social Worker- Health Care for Homeless Veterans. GS-0185-11. 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 (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's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), 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. These are the KSA's for this subject position: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

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 03/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12898725. 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: 2026-03-30