Social Worker (PACT)- Education Debt Reduction Program - Abilene, Texas - Social Worker - Now Hiring

Social Worker (PACT)- Education Debt Reduction Program - Abilene, Texas

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 12/19/2022. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

VA Careers - Social Work:

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Screening/Assessment

• Completing an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others.
• Demonstrating 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.
• Understanding the problems of advancing age and have respect for the diverse needs 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.

• Contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and family
  members/caregiver.

• Subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources.
• Collaborating with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs
• Responsible for educating the Veteran and family members/caregivers 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.

• Responsible for using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans.

• Understanding difficulty of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver.

• Providing crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinating family conferences and serving as liaison to family members.
• Maintaining knowledge of Suicide Prevention policy and procedure
• Recognizing warning signs for suicide ideation or recent self-directed violence
• Utilizing the identified screening tools to assess suicide risk

• Providing education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans and family members/caregiver to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs

• Reviewing the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran
• Educating the Veteran, their family members/caregiver and the team of all the options available to them and collaborating with the Veteran and family members/caregiver on the preferred option
• Responsible for the monitoring of and discharge planning for, Veterans assigned to the PACT Team while Veterans are hospitalized in any number of local medical facilities

• Providing the Veterans and their family members/caregiver with ongoing supportive counseling

• Entering all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates.
• Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies
• Attending all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work Service staff meetings, Social Work supervision meetings, and other committees and workgroups, as appropriate)
• Performing other duties as required
• Participating in "on call" coverage for Social Work Service