The incumbent serves as the Substance Use Specialist for the Knoxville Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program provides treatment for those struggling with substance use and addiction. This social worker serves as an advanced practice therapist, and has mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex chronic mental illness and substance abuse.
Summary
The incumbent serves as the Substance Use Specialist for the Knoxville Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program provides treatment for those struggling with substance use and addiction. This social worker serves as an advanced practice therapist, and has mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex chronic mental illness and substance abuse.
Open to all US Citizens/Public.
First Area of Consideration: current permanent facility employees.
Second Area of Consideration: current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Third Area of Consideration: All US Citizens
Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans preference in accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Office (OCHCO) Bulletin dated 10/3/2024
The Senior Social Worker (Substance Use Specialist) HUD-VASH provides services at an advanced practice level and provides clinical intervention through groups, individual/family crisis services and case management to eligible Veterans and their family members to meet biological, psychological, social, and housing needs. The duties of the incumbent are highly complex and require an in-depth administrative knowledge, clinical expertise, and complex program managerial skills in the independent management of homeless and employment services.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Completes assessment of Veterans in collaboration with referral sources, the Veteran, family members, and significant others.
Exhibits experience diagnosing and treating substance use disorder, dual diagnosis, severe and persistent mental illness, personality disorders, and the interactions between these conditions and housing instability / homelessness.
Uses assessment tools and methods of evaluation that meet or exceed the standard of care based on current VA guidelines.
Incorporates psychosocial, cultural and environmental factors, especially including family, friends, and other key supports when collaboratively planning treatment with Veterans.
Maintains collaborative relationships with referral sources and local programs to assure that appropriate clinical services are considered.
Participates actively in the resolution of Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and HUD-VASH program eligibility and screening inquiries.
Provides individual, family, and group therapy for Veterans served within the HUD-VASH or HCHV programs.
Works with Medical Support Assistants, Program Coordinators, and other Mental Health staff to facilitate timely referrals, enrollment, and admissions.
Responsible for developing treatment plans using Mental Health Suite with each Veteran.
Works within the HUD-VASH, Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs, and other interdisciplinary treatment teams to develop a collaborative treatment plan with each Veteran.
Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans, to include familiarity with welfare checks, admission for inpatient psychiatric services, residential rehabilitation and medical detoxification services.
Maintains and follows required training and certification involving telehealth services, incorporating telephone and video care into daily operations.
Enters psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, ongoing case management/therapy, and progress notes in the electronic record.
Maintains expert knowledge of eligibility requirements for VA / Community services and resources.
Provides clinical guidance and consultation with colleagues, HUD-VASH and HCHV staff, Social Work Interns or Students, Outpatient Providers, Peer Specialists, Medical Support Assistants, and other positions involved in the care of local Veterans in recovery.
Preferred Knowledge:
Expert knowledge of the principles and theoretical concepts of Social Work as well as the administrative mechanisms appropriate to the assignment as a Substance Use Specialist. Uses professional knowledge of principles and practices of therapy, clinical case management, discharge planning, medical services, managed care utilization review, resource allocation, organizational structure and function, and health care benefits to develop plans to solve patient, provider, and system problems, inefficiencies, or duplication.
Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in caring for Veterans presenting with Substance Use, including a wide variety of potentially simultaneous mental health and psychosocial issues such as Severe Mental Illness, and Personality Disorders.
Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Specifically, the incumbent has the experience and training required to perform assessments and evaluations, treatment plans, case management and treatment, and clinical interventions for Veterans.
Advanced knowledge and expert skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of Social Work practice and services with a wide variety of mental health and psychosocial issues. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions.
Expert ability to recognize opportunities for improvement and offer solutions using management principles and techniques.(continued under Qualifications section)
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:45am- 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Must pass TB Testing.
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).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
A current, valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education - Candidates must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
Licensure - Social workers at the GS-12 must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: GS-12 Level: Senior Social Workers must posses at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty, and are able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
(a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management.
(b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
(c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.
(e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: All candidates must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Candidates must meet the physical requirements outlined in Section II and Section VI of the OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions and must possess emotional and mental stability.
Preferred Knowledge (continued):
F. Ability to provide expert subject matter consultation to staff supervised, colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications.
G. Advanced knowledge and demonstrated ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession, demonstrating innovation in the creation of new models of psychosocial assessment and intervention, evidenced through the ability to present histories, assessments, behavioral observations, mental health assessment results, and discuss diagnostic issues in training sessions, treatment team meetings, and in other case conferences.
H. Expert ability to administer a structured interviews and assessments with a wide variety of patient populations, with a wide variety of mental health and psychosocial issues such as those diagnoses found in the DSM IV, and particularly SMI (including PTSD), Dual Diagnosis, personality disorders and substance abuse, and Women Veterans, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn (OEF/ OIF/OND) Veterans, elderly Veterans and /or Veterans with families.
I. Expert ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
J. Advance knowledge of community resources; how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services; and ability to prioritize and coordinate services.
K. Expert ability to negotiate, procure, and advocate to effectively match Veterans with the right services and incorporate, risk management, state laws, current trends in disease prevention, and epidemiological/population-based resourcing in performance of daily job functions.
L. Advanced knowledge of current/new information in the field of case management and federal, state, local regulations through professional reading, in-services and conferences.
M. Advanced knowledge and demonstrated ability to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to Veterans with diagnoses found in the DSM-V and co-occurring disorder histories and be expertly skilled in the recording of detailed behavioral observations and the writing of progress notes and reassessment reports.
N. Advanced knowledge of computerized processing operations and procedures and is competent in word processing, data management programs and other relevant computer applications.
O. Expert ability to evaluate his/her own practice as well as that of others through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, and/or organized means.
P. Advanced knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to Social Work practice.
Q. Advanced knowledge of Social Work practices in health care and mental health settings including resources, and the policies and procedures pertaining to home and community based care, acute care, ambulatory care, long-term care, performance measures, and clinical guidelines.
R. Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines.
S. Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
T. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social worker services.
U. Ability to provide staff training and development.
V. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Ability to provide staff training and development. Ability to ensure provisionally
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
License
Resume
Transcript
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 (VA)
License
Other (1)
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 07/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12755745.
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.
James H Quillen VA Medical Center
Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way
Mountain Home, TN 37684
US
Next steps
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
License
Resume
Transcript
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 (VA)
License
Other (1)
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 07/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12755745.
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.
James H Quillen VA Medical Center
Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way
Mountain Home, TN 37684
US
Next steps
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
