The Social Worker practices in the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) and outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (ADTP). 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 masters 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/. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve lifting, walking, standing, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades, hearing aid (permitted). The environmental factors of this position involve being able to work outside and/or inside, to work with others, and to work alone. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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): The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 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: GS-9: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11: 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: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience, training, and/or certification in multiple evidence-based practices for treatment of mental health issues (depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, psychosis, etc.) Social worker comfortable with working effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced, high volume clinic. Social worker experienced in dealing with acute mental health patients, clinical supervision experience, and knowledge of education/research best practices. Diligent, independent clinician who works well with multidisciplinary team members within a demanding mental health clinic. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185. 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-09 to GS-11. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf (va.gov) Major Duties: Specific tasks may include: treatment planning/goal setting, referral(s) to service providers and specialty treatment clinics, resource utilization and development, advocacy, crisis intervention, education and prevention, case management and care coordination, supportive counseling, and administrative responsibilities to their assigned clinic. The Social Worker may independently conduct psychotherapy (if licensed) within the residential treatment program as it relates to substance use disorders (SUD) or co-occurring disorders (e.g., for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)), including utilization of evidence-based practices. The social worker works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of staff to provide psychosocial and psychotherapeutic support to treatment program residents. The Social Worker independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. The incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. The incumbent independently conducts psychosocial assessments. He/She develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. The Social Worker is able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA, government, and community agency programs. The incumbent independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. He/She provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences, andserves as liaison to family members. The Social Worker has working knowledge and experience in use 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. The Social Worker establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. He/She is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. This may occur within the residential program or the outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (ADTP). The incumbent independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. He/She has the ability to evaluate his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conference, and other organizational means. The incumbent is able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. General knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, and non-service connected pension is required. He/She facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1530 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
