Social Worker - Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)

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.

Major duties: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent functions as a part of an interdisciplinary primary care team, serving Veterans, primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. Screening/Assessment - Functional assessments based on 20-30-minute appointments and triage/referral to specialty care services as appropriate. Routine, brief assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, PCL, AUDIT C, etc.) as available in Behavioral Health Laboratory Software (BHL - Web, Touch, or other iterations) or Mental Health Assistant.

Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - Develops appropriate treatment goals in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the PACT. PCMHI works with the PCP's treatment plan and is not expected to write independent treatment plans that may be seen in other sections within Psychiatry Service. Referral to service providers - Maintains knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services when appropriate.

Triaging appropriately and efficiently to specialty mental health services. Resource Usage/Development - Maintains a professional knowledge of the theories, principles and values of social work required to develop and maintain social work programs in assigned areas. Maintains state of the art capabilities in systems of service delivery to individuals, families, and groups. Exercises judgment; program planning, development, and implementation; identifies problems and the need for policy changes and program direction that should be brought to the attention of the section Program Coordinator.

Advocacy - Participates in multi-disciplinary conferences in assigned areas. Assists Veterans and families in obtaining medical, financial, and social resources in the community that will enhance the Veteran's recovery and/or adjustments. Assesses the Veteran's and family's need for an advocate and acts on the patient and family's behalf when needed. Must be willing to address barriers to service with and for Veterans using a broad range of psychosocial theories and principles and specific to social work values.

Crisis Intervention - Assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and/or family and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. Perform risk assessments whenever the potential for self-harm is suspected, to provide information on available safety resources, and to evaluate the Veteran's ability to access necessary resources and supports.

Initiate intake procedures for inpatient psychiatry whenever it is deemed necessary for the Veteran's safety or for the safety of others (i.e., ED, A&R, voluntary or involuntary admission, etc.). Education/Health promotion and prevention - Provide education to Veterans with incomplete or erroneous understanding of their mental illness and consults with physicians and other members of the clinical staff regarding patient needs in this area.

Provides consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am-4pm day shift, no holidays/weekends Compressed/Flexible: May be considered Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligibl