Senior Social Worker (PCMHI) - EDRP Approved

JobSummary

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.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

12

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

El Paso VA Health Care System

OrganizationCodes

VA/VATA

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• fed-competitive
• fed-excepted
• fed-internal-search
• public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

few

AgencyMarketingStatement

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? Welcome to El Paso - a true Southwest Delight! El Paso can serve as your base point for travel in any direction - within a few short hours you can ski in Ruidoso; take in the cultural ambiance of Albuquerque - perhaps play a few slots or catch a headline concert; arrive in Phoenix for professional sports; or a short detour to Tucson for beautiful hikes and farmer's markets. Just north of El Paso is Las Cruces, home to huge pecan orchards and agriculture. El Paso itself offers a dynamic community of local culture, military culture, Southwest charm and Tex-Mex served hot! We have year-round sports and outdoor recreation due to the abundant sunshine. Road cycling is a celebrated pastime - as is motorcycling through the mountain scenery. You can always find a new trail to hike - from the Franklin Mountains to Hueco Tanks. El Paso has tons to offer: an international airport, renown medical school, Spaceport America - host to Virgin Galactic; the largest US Army Installation, minor league baseball team.

TravelCode

0

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Senior Social Worker serves as a Co-located Collaborative Care (CCC) behavioral health consultant and provides direct care to the Primary and Specialty Care to the Veteran population at the El Paso VHA. PCMHI is a component of the interdisciplinary Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The PCMHI Senior Social Worker provides brief, evidence-based interventions, education, and consultation services to Veterans, Primary Care Providers (PCPs), Specialty Care Providers and allied PACT members. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker works collaboratively within PACT and Specialty Care to promote prevention, early identification, and treatment of most mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns as part of routine primary care. PCMHI visits are brief (generally, 30 minutes or less), limited in number (1-6 visits), and structured so that the patient views meetings with the behavioral health provider as a routine primary care service. PCMHI Senior Social Workers integrate their practice into the fast-paced primary and specialty care clinic, engaging in a variety of team-based activities, including huddles, case review, consultation, and education. Direct service delivery occurs via brief, focused interventions for up to 8-10 patients daily, with a large percentage of those being seen via warm handoff within PACT to ensure same-day access. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker aids clinical program development by providing input into the program effectiveness for modification of service patterns. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker may be assigned to work with special Veteran populations with highly complex health or mental health problems. Functional Assessment - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker completes a structured and standardized initial intake (i.e., functional assessment) with Veterans referred to PCMHI. Screening includes identification of primary difficulty, history of primary difficulty, functional assessment of difficulty, identification of lifestyle habits, goal identification, and completion of relevant assessments. In collaboration with Veteran, assessment information is analyzed to determine a subsequent treatment plan. Initial assessments are completed within 25 minutes and identified providers are added to notes as appropriate and necessary. Follow-Up Visits: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker supports a behavior change plan or treatment target identified by the Primary Care Provider (PCP), Specialty Care Providers and/or patient, based on earlier consultation; sometimes in tandem with planned PCP visits. Specific interventions, primarily behavioral in nature, are used to achieve identified treatment goals. PACT Screening - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker follows clinic procedures for reviewing PACT c li n ic appointments and contacting Veterans who may be appropriate for PCMHI/MH services. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (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 #: 55385-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Education

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/about/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: https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/., you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Behavioral Health Lab - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker uses the Behavioral Health Laboratory (BHL) software program for all direct care services (i.e., initial screenings and consultation visits). The Behavioral Health Consultant uses BHL to log assessment information and track Veteran progress across visits. The Behavioral Health Consultant also uses BHL to determine appropriate levels of care for Veterans, based on assessment data collected and dispositions offered. The Behavioral Health Consultant uses BHL to designate current and subsequent treatment plans, as well as specific treatment outcomes. Treatment Adherence Enhancement Visits: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker assists Veterans with adhering to interventions initiated by the PCP and Specialty Care Providers. Visits focus on education, Evidenced Based Interventions, Motivational Interviewing, addressing negative beliefs, and strategies for coping with side effects. Relapse Prevention Visits: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker works with Veterans to maintain stable functioning for engaged Veterans th a t have previously responded positively to treatment. Behavioral Medicine Visits: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker assists Veterans in managing chronic medical conditions or tolerate invasive or uncomfortable medical procedures. Focus of visits may be on lifestyle issues or health risk factors among Veterans at risk (e.g., headache management, tobacco cessation, weight loss, tinnitus). Visits may also involve managing issues related to progressive illness. Psychoeducational Group Visits: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker facilitates brief group interventions that either replace or supplement individual treatment and are designed to promote education and skill building/effective problem-solving. Conjoint Consultation: The PCMHI Senior Social Worker facilitates visit with the PCP/Specialty Care and patient, designed to address an issue of concern for both. Crisis Intervention - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will collaborate with team members to aid in identifying crisis situations and to aid in accessing care for a Veteran in need of care. This may include facilitating referrals or admission to acute, short term and/or long-term placements. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the Behavioral Health Service. Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment, the PCMHI Senior Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs for various services/programs. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker may educate the Veteran and/or caregiver concerning available services and assist them in establishing contact information with appropriate referrals, based on the Veteran's preference or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker. Advocacy - The PCMHI Senior 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, PCMHI Senior Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to self-advocate, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Training - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker may provide staff development programs for multi-disciplinary team members within Primary and Specialty Care to include primary care providers, nursing, students, residents, interns, fellows, from other disciplines, etc. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker may provide training opportunities to assist staff in acquiring knowledge about treatments and services offered within PCMHI. Duties are continued in the Additional Information Section.

Requirements

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 dentification 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.

Evaluations

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

HowToApply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/11/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12899646. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

WhatToExpectNext

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Resume/CV Other (2) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp

OtherInformation

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Duties Continued: Administrative responsibilities - The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will follow clinic and service guidelines in entering all relevant information in the electronic record, using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered into in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the Veteran is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis by the PCMHI Senior Social Worker and identified others, to check for accuracy and adherence to clinic standards. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers, and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will attend all treatment team meetings, Behavioral Health Service staff meetings, relevant calls, and perform other duties as required by the Behavioral Health Service. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for his/her specific population and/or program. The PCMHI Senior Social Worker will participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. This may include coverage responsibilities in the absence of other staff to ensure timely access and coordination of care.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

03

AnnouncementClosingTypeOption

50

AgencyContactEmail

VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

AdjudicationType

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness