Career and Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. English Language: The applicant must be proficient in spoken and written English? Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education: 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. (Must provide copy of transcript(s) with application). Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found on the OHRM website. (Must provide copy of license(s) with application). Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed or certified.to the full performance level. Applicants with the following certification from American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN) are highly preferred: Basic Life Support (BLS). The selected employee will be required to receive certification prior to assuming clinical responsibilities and ensure current certification after employment is maintained. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have the following (your resume will be utilized to adjudicate responses). Social Worker, GS-9 Level: Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.-AND- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.(c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. Social Worker, GS-11 Level: Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. -OR- Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. -AND- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. (c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. (d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. (e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/120 September 10, 2019, PART II, APPENDIX G39 SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11. Physical Requirements: The position requires some physical effort. The incumbent must be able to transport veterans and drive a government automobile in the performance of their official duties. The incumbent must be able to perform community outreach and go into the community including high-homeless areas. The incumbent must be able to adapt to rapid and changing priorities. A valid driver's license is required, as the incumbent will be working primarily in the community. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements to include a driver's assessment and must pass VA driver's physical. ["Duties include, but are not limited to, The position will provide a dual service in that it will (1) provide case management services to severely ill and/or injured Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and/or Operation New Dawn (OND) service members and Veterans treated at the facility and (2) provide clinical treatment/therapy services to Veterans to improve mental health and/or substance abuse issues as it relates to all Veterans seeking mental health services. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of service members and/or Veterans as they transition to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care. Care management responsibilities also include providing supportive services to families. In addition, the incumbent assists service members and/or Veterans in coping with acute illness, chronic illness, combat stress, the residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), community adjustment, addictions, and other health and mental health problems. Screening/Assessment - The social worker will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. The treatment plan will be completed by the patient's third visit for mental health services. The plan will be updated every six months or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs. Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. Advocacy - Social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Serves as an advocate for OEF/OIF service members and/or Veterans and their families, helping them access needed services at the facility, at other VA facilities, and in the community. Crisis Intervention - Social worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Social worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the CBOC and mental health clinic at the VA Medical Center. Education/Health promotion and prevention - Social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Assists OEF/OIF/OND service members and/or Veterans and their families with advance directives, guardianships, and applications for home care and extended care services. Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services -The Social worker will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for mental health services. Social worker will educate the veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred option. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, with evenings, weekends, and/or adjusted tours as needed to ensure quality care to Veterans. Required driving to attend meetings and visit clients if applicable. Participation in the on-call rotation for inpatient is required. Telework: As needed Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker (TCM)/PD000000 and PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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