Social Worker (BHIP Therapist)

Position(s) listed under this OCA MAY be eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount and eligibility period are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Former participants are ineligible to apply.

The Social Worker serves as a full-time member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the Mental Health ICC at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. This position provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans connected with the Syracuse VAMC and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and is based at the Oswego VA CBOC. The Syracuse VAMC is a large, complexity level 1C facility serving Veterans, families, and caregivers across thirteen counties, including seven CBOCs. As an affiliated tertiary care system, it offers a broad range of specialized programs. Primary responsibilities include delivering psychiatric interventions, mental health treatment, and stabilization services in an outpatient setting. The Social Worker provides recovery-oriented, trauma-informed psychotherapy for individuals and couples, conducts psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions, and treatment planning, and employs measurement-based care and other evidence-based practices. Group therapy may be facilitated as needed. Services are delivered both in person and via telehealth to ensure access to care. Collaboration with Veterans, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members is essential to providing comprehensive mental health services. The Social Worker is required to maintain an unrestricted clinical license and adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and all applicable local Social Work policies. Major Duties and Responsibilities, include but are not limited to: - Provide individual and couple psychotherapy using evidence-based, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed approaches. - Complete psychosocial assessments and collaboratively develop treatment plans using Measurement Based Care. - Apply knowledge of psychiatric conditions, evidence-based treatment protocols (including CBT and CPT), and common psychotropic medications, including their effects and side effects. - Use appropriate mental health and medical diagnostic terminology to maintain clear, effective communication with the healthcare team. - Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and advocate for Veterans' psychosocial and mental health needs, including factors influencing treatment adherence. - Routinely assess Veterans' mental health needs in outpatient settings, coordinate care with the clinical team, and support smooth transitions to the least restrictive level of care, including timely discharge and transition planning. - Document all clinical services in the electronic health record and review provider notes to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care. - Conduct rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans, including evaluation for psychiatric hospitalization or residential program admission. - Have some basic knowledge of Veteran benefits, services, and specialized programs. - Perform additional duties as assigned to support service and organizational needs. - Engage in ongoing professional development through self-assessment, supervision, and clinical consultation. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (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) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.