Social Worker

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Inpatient Medical Social Worker provides social work, care coordination and discharge planning services to Veterans admitted to inpatient medical acute care wards at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker works to ensure that Veterans transition efficiently from an inpatient level of care to the appropriate discharge level of care.

• Screening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker screens and assesses the Veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to facilitate their discharge from the hospital Through collaborative relationships with the Veteran, their family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff, the Inpatient Medicine Social Worker coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate discharge goals and discharge time frames. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker determines realistic discharge goals that consider such factors as a) the appropriate level of discharge care, b) the setting conducive to providing such care, c) the need for post-discharge interventions to enhance caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care, d) transportation options/barriers and e) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the transition from the inpatient setting successful Advance Directive Screening and completion - The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will screen Veterans while in the acute care setting to identify need to provide education and offer assistance with completing an advance directive. Referral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a Veteran's recovery, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, community-based extended care). The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in re-assessing the Veteran's needs during the eligibility determination process, coordinating access to information needed for the referral. Resource Usage/Development - As a developing subject matter expert on the services and resources available to veterans through both VA and the community, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker will monitor patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's transition from the inpatient hospital setting. The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., the Social Work Chief/Executive, the Social Work Professional Practice Council, other VA programs, community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. Advocacy - The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will advocate for the hospitalized Veteran to ensure that he or she has access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the Veteran of their choices in complex decisions and by guiding the Veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the Inpatient Medical Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran. Crisis Intervention - The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will assess and intervene in any medical or psychiatric crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. The Inpatient Medical Social Worker will work collaboratively with other disciplines on complex cases (i.e. the Psychiatry Consultation Team). Preferred Experience: Medical Social Work VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 not a telework position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91715-A and 91714-A

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