Social Worker - Recovery Services

Social Worker In Recovery Services

The Social Worker in Recovery Services (RS) provides professional Social Work services and substance use disorder treatment, along with general and specialized mental health care to patients at the Central Ohio VA Healthcare System. The incumbent can be assigned to provide specialized treatment services, within the following components of the division: Assessment and treatment planning; Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Low Intensity Rehabilitation/Aftercare, Ambulatory Detoxification, etc.

Responsibilities include providing Social Work services and general and specialized mental health care to patients and their families or significant others as applicable, applying knowledge of treatment for substance use disorder and mental health disorders, other clinical and social issues, group and individual therapy and family treatment methods in order to help patients improve medical, mental health and social functioning, abstain from addictive behaviors, maintain community living and limit the need for hospitalization and other intensive intervention. The Social Worker also provides Social Work services to patients, families and significant others as needed in order to establish linkages to resource systems. Performs independent intake interviews on patients in order to accomplish initial data gathering necessary to evaluate, recommend options and treat addictions, mental disorders and other clinical or social issues. Independently completes psychosocial assessments and Brief Addiction Monitors (BAM's) in order to formulate treatment plans defined by problems, goals, objectives and interventions. Documents in patients' medical records in accordance with Social Work, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and RS requirements in order to substantiate service activity with the patients. Fully participates in treatment team meetings in order to communicate assessment and intervention activities to multidisciplinary team members, with whom the Social Worker collaborates on the plan of care. Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet patient, family and significant other needs on the basis of appropriateness of referral and capacity to benefit from community assistance. Prepares documentation, clinical summaries, encounter forms and other statistical reports to disseminate pertinent information while adhering to VA and regulatory standards (JC, CARF) and specifically Ambulatory Care Center, BHS and RS policies, procedures and guidelines. Conducts group, family and individual therapeutic counseling sessions; observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use in intervention adjustment. Arranges referral of patients to other Federal agencies, State and other public as well as private organizations and gives advice and guidance to patients relative to benefits and services provided within the VA and local community, along with eligibility requirements. May provide supervision to GS-9 Social Workers, Social Work Associates and Social Work students. Provides Social Work training and consultation to other students.