Clinical Social Work Veterans Health Administration

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Clinical Social WorkVeterans Health
Administration
Twenty First Century Employer of Choice
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The Mission of VHA

• To provide high quality medical care and
  rehabilitation to veterans.
• Conduct research and investigation of veterans
  diseases and disabilities.
• Offer education and training to the nations
  health care workers.
• Supply medical care to the Department of Defense
  inwar or national emergencies.

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Mission of VA Social Work

• To eliminate psychosocial complications as
  barriers to healthcare access for veterans and
  families.
• To develop and maintain integrated programs in
  patient care through research, education and
  prevention.

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Vision

VA Social Work will provide the foremost
leadership in the psychosocial care of veterans
and their families.
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Values

• To respect the dignity and worth of the veteran -
  upholding ethical standards of social work
  practice.
• To advocate for changes that are responsive to
  veterans needs through use of community and VA
  resources.
• To create a learning environment promoting new
  knowledge, clinical social work practice and
  administrative excellence.

We are committed to the psychosocial welfare of
veterans and their families. We offer social
work staff as our greatest resource.
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Clinical Social Workers
The role of the clinical social worker is to
help veterans their families through the
emotional, environmental, cultural, and economic
pressures during times of need. Social workers
utilize

• Crisis intervention
• Group, family and individual therapies
• Casework and other individualized treatment
  options
• Interdisciplinary treatment coordination to
  maximize goals

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History of VHA Social Work

• June 16, 1926, established the social work
  program in Veterans Bureau. First year
  staffing was 36 social workers.
• Currently more than 3800 masters prepared social
  workers are employed.
• Social workers are assigned to most VA program
  areas.
• Largest single agency that trains more than
  600 social work graduate students each year!

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VA Social WorkProgram Involvement

• Care Coordination
• Mental Health Behavioral Health
• Community Based Programs
• Primary Care
• Geriatrics and Extended Care
• Rehabilitation Programs
• Medicine and Surgery Service

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VA Social Work Career Benefits

• Generous leave and holidays
• Health, life and long term care insurance plans
• Excellent retirement plan
• Mobility opportunities
• CEU opportunities

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Additional Benefits
Most VA facilities offer

• Child Care Services
• Employee Health Wellness Programs
• Employee Associations
• Onsite dining facilities credit unions
• Mentoring programs
• Free parking
• Smoke free work place

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Career Opportunities

• Clinical, Administrative and Executive Positions
• Research
• Social Work Student Instructor
• Relationships with local School of Social Work
  Graduate Education Programs
• Partnership with Community
• Agencies

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Succession Planning Opportunities

• Social Work VHA Mentoring Programs
• National Social Work Committees
• Career Advancement Training Programs
• Leadership Training Programs

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Employee Diversity Special Emphasis
Programs

• Asian American Pacific Islanders
• African American
• Hispanic
• Native American
• People with Disabilities
• Federal Women

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VA Social Work Application Process

• Applicants may contact the Social Work
  Executive Office at the facility of desired
  employment or the following websites

• www.usajobs.opm.gov.
• www.va.gov .

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VHA Clinical Social Worker
Visit us on the web at http//www.va.gov/socialwo
rk
Developed by the National VA Social Work Public
Relations Committee 2002 Updated 2004