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.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Behavioral Health Access Team (BHAT) Senior Social Worker is a senior practitioner that works as part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of Psychiatric providers, Psychologists, Nurses, Medical Support Assistants, and other Social Workers of varying practice levels, that provide immediate access, on demand, same day Mental Health Services to Veterans enrolled in the El Paso VA Health Clinic.
The BHAT Senior Social Worker performs crisis intervention, same day assessments, biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning, evidence-based group and individual psychotherapy, care coordination with other VA services, and referrals to community agencies and hospitals. The BHAT Senior Social Worker possesses independent practice skills and judgment in the field of social work practice.
They are independently licensed, demonstrate highly effective social work practice, teach, guide, and mentor less experienced social workers, draft policies, procedures, functional statements, and proposals for management review, and take a lead role in continuous program improvement.
BHAT treatment interventions are evidence-based and individualized to each veteran based on the presenting case complexity, mental illness acuity, co-morbidity, substance abuse disorders, resistance to standard treatments, and utilization of inpatient psychiatric resources. The BHAT Senior Social Worker orients, trains, and oversees new Social Work staff, as well as other interdisciplinary and allied staff in BHAT systems, processes, and workflows.
provides clinical supervision and training to Social Work interns, graduates working toward as assigned serves as a mentor and coach to other Social Workers, assumes responsibility and shows initiative for their learning and professional development, evaluates BHAT social work practice through participation in professional peer reviews.
Utilizes deescalation strategies, conducting suicide risk assessments, developing and implementing crisis management plans, establishing safety plans, coordinating admission to inpatient psychiatric programs, and coordinating after-care treatment. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective mental health clinic and the El Paso VA Health Clinic.
completes same day triage assessments, crisis assessments, suicide risk assessments, and biopsychosocial assessments of Veterans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, and Veteran's family members/caregivers, in accordance with all applicable policies and procedures.
collaborates with the veteran in treatment plan development, based on their biopsychosocial assessment, setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran, and identifying outcome-based measures for each goal. Treatment goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Duties are continued in the Education Section.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:45 PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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: This is an onsite position.
Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55957-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. You must possess a master's degree in Social Work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/program-directory. 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.
NOTE: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
Duties Continued: Utilizes a wide range of treatment modalities and skills needed for the effective treatment of a wide range of disorders for adult patients.
educates patients in the differences between supportive psychotherapy and VA EBP treatments and makes referrals to the Substance Abuse Disorder Program (SUD), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services (ICMHR) Program, Peer Support Program, and other Behavioral Health services as needed. collaborates with other service providers throughout the ongoing assessment of veteran needs.
educates the veteran and, if requested, family members/caregivers about available services, and assists them in establishing appropriate referrals based on veteran needs and preferences. is responsible for identifying, understanding, and brokering available resources within the VA and community to meet veterans presenting needs. seeks to reduce the limitations of bureaucracy and acts as an advocate for veterans wherever needed.
educates and encourages the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. provides education to veterans and involved family/caregivers related to evidence-based psychotherapy treatments, group therapy treatment, and/or additional VA and community resources. reviews the progress notes from other multidisciplinary providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran.
educates the Veteran and their family members/caregiver of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family members/caregiver on the available options. assists the BHAT Program Manager in drafting policies, procedures, functional statements, planning and conducting Department meetings, attends all required Behavioral Health staff meetings. enters all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates.
This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure relevant clinical information about the Veteran is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis. establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers/stakeholders within the VA, and outside the community agencies. collaborates in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures.
participates in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $97987 – $127386/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-06.
This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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