Summary

The Social Worker is a Clinical Social Worker assigned to Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Centers' Primary Care Clinics. The Social Worker must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 masters of social work
• (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) Licensure/Certification
• 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/
• (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-11) 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 at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• 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
• GS-11 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 - 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
• (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) 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
• REFERENCE: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Light lifting (under 15 pounds) and ability to drive GOV
• Environmental factors include outside and inside and working closely with others.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Complete an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran - family members - and significant others
• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations - psychological needs - and age-associated illnesses and conditions
• Understand the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging Veteran population - be sensitive to human growth and development - age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric Veteran and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population
• Share in the development of a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment
• Responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and family members/caregiver
• Subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources
• Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs
• Responsible for educating the Veteran and family members/caregivers about the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker
• 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
• Refer the Veteran to needed services
• Understand the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
• When appropriate and feasible - will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
• Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans
• 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 his/her respective clinic and the facility at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center
• Provide education related to VA and community resources - entitlements - and Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans and family members/caregivers to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs
• Review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran
• Educate the Veteran - their family members/caregiver - and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family members/caregiver on the preferred option
• Provide the Veterans and their family members/caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling
• Enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates
• This information will be entered in a complete - confidential - and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff
• This information will be reviewed regularly
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees - volunteers - consumers - and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies
• Attend all appropriate staff meetings
• Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized