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. 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the 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/. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-9: (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) 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: (1) 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 (2) 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. (3) 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 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 GS-9 to GS-11. Specialized Experience: 1. Must have valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and be able to drive 2. Home care experience preferred 3. Interdisciplinary team experience preferred 4. AHA Basic Life Support Certification required Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, moderate carrying, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, both legs required, operation of motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, visual requirement at least 20/40 for each eye, depth perception, both eyes required, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, at least 70' peripheal in horizontal meridian each eye Environmental Factors: Working outside and inside, excessive heat, excessive cold, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around moving objects or vehicles, Dust, fumes, smoke or gases, working closely with others, working alone, animal dander, insects ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include, but are not limited to: Psychosocial Screening and Assessment: Uses knowledge and theories of mental health and aging to independently perform comprehensive initial and follow-up assessments to meet the psychosocial needs of the patient and their support systems. Psychosocial Treatment Planning and Goal Setting: Develops the psychosocial plan of care, following advanced assessment and screening, to improve optimal psychosocial care. Crisis Intervention: Independently responsible for crisis intervention and/or suicide prevention in home environments. Functions without additional staff support or supervision in patient homes. Performs rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans. Case Management/Outreach: Provides case management services to Veterans and facilitates integration of varied services for the treatment of complex medical, psychosocial, rehabilitative, behavioral, or palliative care needs. Documentation/Productivity: Completes documentation in accordance with applicable policy and standards. Psychotherapy: The social worker provides Veterans with evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Coordinates the delivery of psychosocial services and provides psychotherapy to assist Veterans in coping with complex and chronic illness, functional decline, changes in condition, adjustment, caregiver burden, and bereavement. Advocacy: The social worker offers education and support and encourages the Veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, fostering a sense of independence and empowerment in the Veteran. The social worker will act as an advocate, serving the best interest of the Veteran. Administrative Responsibilities: Implements methods for measuring effectiveness of practice and utilizes measures to improve treatment services within the Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Division. Work Schedule: Part time, hours can range from Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Stacy.Hermann@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
