The Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program provides health care services to Veterans in their home. A VA Physician supervises the health care team providing the services. HBPC is for Veterans who may be homebound with complex health care needs for whom routine clinic-based care is not effective, Veterans who are isolated, or whose caregiver is experiencing burden; and Veterans who have difficulty with clinic visits due to the severity of their illness. HBPC may be offered with other Services. 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: 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 the CSWE website Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) - Home to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 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 by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency Requirement: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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: 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39. September 10th, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential. 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). ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The incumbent provides veterans in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program with high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and to coordinate linkage with appropriate VA and community service providers/ agencies as needed by the client. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the HBPC Team or other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate i.e. Specialty Clinics, NHCU etc. Duties include but are not limited to: Develops an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others Attends weekly interdisciplinary care planning meetings; Serves as the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources; Acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family; Develops crisis management plans to maintain patient in the home, for admission to acute, short term and/or long term placements; Provides education related to VA and community resources and entitlements; Coordinates referrals of non-institutional services such as HBPC, home hospice, skilled and non-skilled homecare services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members; Submits veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09410A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
