The Social Worker assigned to the Orlando VA Medical Center Mental Health Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program (MHRRTP) provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an independent practice level to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Their health care and psychosocial problems and needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,12/29/2023. 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: 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: 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. ? 7401 (3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-09 Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience, Licensure, and Education: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Those candidates with Domiciliary experience are highly preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: The position requires performance of work which involves light physical effort, such as that involved in lifting light files, bending, standing, reaching, operating office equipment such as telephone, copier, fax machine, scanner, etc. The physical demands of the work requires use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted; clear speech; emotional stability; moderate duty. ["This is an Open and Continuous announcement (for multiple locations) and can be taken down at any time. ***AMENDED TO REMOVE QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR LICENSURE REQUIRMENT*** The selected Social Worker assigned to this program will need advanced clinical knowledge of substance use and mental health diagnosis. The selectee must be able to complete assessments, have clinical understanding of complex diverse populations, have strong crisis intervention skills, and work independently with little oversight and supervision. The selectee will need clinical knowledge of co-occurring disorders, inclusive of the challenges of treating those with Axis II disorders that will not ameliorate with short term treatment or medication. The selectee will be a member of an interdisciplinary team that thoroughly assesses the needs of the Veterans, as well as monitors progress throughout their admission. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to; Reviews all data, subjective and objective, to make a clinical assessment of the Veteran, their family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems. Assessments will reflect a skillful and comprehensive view of the Veteran's current state of functioning and support, as well as high risk factors, acuity, and need for services. Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. Skilled in communication techniques to de-escalate or bring comfort to Veterans in crisis. Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team which includes working with the Veteran/family in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop and implement a resident centered treatment plan. Provides consultation to VA staff regarding the psychosocial needs of the veterans and the impact of their problems on their health and adherence to their treatment plan. Assists MHRRTP residents with concrete processing of needs assessment in order to begin planning realistic steps necessary for a successful discharge from the MHRRTP. Must facilitate discharge planning through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. Knowledgeable in the Recovery Model, the principles of holistic health, and will have a working knowledge of the role of trauma in crisis and mental health exacerbation during brief counseling interventions. Provides individual, family and group counseling services, including psychotherapy as appropriate. Maintains a current and productive network of referral resources. Makes provision for referral services from other VA programs, community resources (i.e., transition or halfway houses, shelters, etc.), and other Governmental agencies and coordinates services to support Veterans' successfully reintegrating into the community. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm. However, the selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care. Telework: May be available for highly qualified candidates. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Staff Social Worker, Mental Health Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program (MHRRTP) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
