Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Mental Health Counselor for the Mental Health Integrated Care Community Service Line. This vacancy will be filled with either a Social Worker, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, or a Staff Psychologist. The position is located at the Williston VA Clinic. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/ Assessment - The social worker will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/ external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. The incumbent 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. The incumber must have 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. Treatment Planning/ Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan, and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. The treatment plan will be completed by the patient's third visit for mental health services. The plan will be updated every year as required by the Mental Health Service Line policies, or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs. Treatment/Therapy - The social worker is responsible for providing appropriate evidence based treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. The social worker will utilize the support of the social work supervisor to staff cases as necessary and will seek referrals to specialized clinicians when appropriate. Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment, the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/ or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/ or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/ Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs to refer the veteran to needed services. Advocacy - The social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/ family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/ family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention - The social worker makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP: Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.