| The Charleston VA Medical Center, located in the heart of downtown, is ranked the most efficient 1A facility and ranked 11th for quality among all VAMCs, placing us in the top 10% of all VAMCs throughout the country for quality of care. Charleston continues to earn numerous accolades for livability to include #1 City in the U.S. - 2020 (Travel + Leisure) and Best Small City in the U.S with its climate, beaches, arts, entertainment, restaurants and hospitality. Clinical Functions: Incumbent is a professional social worker assigned to the Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The incumbent must possess independent level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans and their families/significant others. Social work responsibilities include the assessment of psychosocial problems that cause distress, impacting the health condition and creating barriers to care. These stressors can include adjustment to the current medical problems, and inadequate housing and transportation. Referrals typically originate from any member of the interdisciplinary team, from Veterans and/or their families who call or walk-in for assistance, screening tools, and community professionals. The incumbent completes comprehensive assessments to determine the underlying causes of the presenting problem(s), the interpersonal and environmental factors impacting the problem, and its effect on the patient's ability and desire to engage in health behaviors. The incumbent will help the patient and family to understand the contributing factors to the problem(s), will discuss them with the pros and cons of possible short-term and long-term solutions, encouraging them to make positive and lasting changes to reduce stressors. The incumbent will coordinate with VA staff and community agencies to assist in problem solving. Case management with members of the outpatient interdisciplinary team is provided in order to coordinate a collaborative effort to meet the agreed upon goals for a Veteran's treatment needs and include liaison with community professionals regarding the needed services for Veterans and/or their families. Services include, but are not limited to, interventions to increase access to care, arranging transportation assistance, and Advanced Directives; economic assistance, including assistance with medical bills, financial aid services and strategies to increase income (employment, vocational rehabilitation, VA benefits, disability), and/or reduce expenses; finding appropriate housing for the patient's level of need (affordable independent housing, homeless shelters, group and family care homes, Veterans Homes, assisted living, nursing homes, respite care, hospice care); and ordering necessary services to assist with functional decline. Administrative Functions: Is responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 7, and the facility.Is mindful of keeping his/her supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. Is responsible for furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment. Is able to provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested, to serve as a field instructor for graduate level social work students. Is able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of software applications by drafting documents and performing data management, as well as other computer systems in use by VHA. Is able to maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Social Work standards, Joint Commission standards, and facility standards. Is willing to modify tour of duty as necessary to accommodate the needs of Veteran patients. Is responsible for performing other duties as assigned and deemed necessary by the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800am-4:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
