Community Living Center (CLC) Social Worker

Summary The Community Living Center Social Worker provides a vast array of professional services to the veteran population residing in the VA Maryland Health Care System's Community Living Centers (CLC). Services include provision of high quality case management - clinical treatment - advocacy - supportive services to veterans and/or their family members/significant others - and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers / agencies - as needed - by the client. Qualifications 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 PolicyEducationHave 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 accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification of the degree can be made by going tohttp://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social workLicensurePersons 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 levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/ExceptionVHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinationsThis exception only applies at the GS-9 grade levelFor the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certifiedAt 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.] English Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Physical RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health ServicesGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesSocial Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and LicensureNone beyond the basic requirementsDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a)Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors(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 goalsThis 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 proceduresThis includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuriescommon medications and their effects/side effectsand medical terminologySocial Worker - GS-11 Experience and LicensureAppointment 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 levelNOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.OR EducationIn 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 settingDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn 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 - educational - and other backgrounds(c)Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.eacute - 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 treatmentPreferred Experience: Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or trends and patterns to develop new methods - criteria - and proposed new policiesReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Duties VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but not limited to: The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of veterans as they transition from the Community Living Center (CLC) to appropriate placement alternativesThis is accomplished in collaboration with members of the assigned interdisciplinary treatment team(s) - as appropriateThe social worker will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the veteran - family members and significant othersDemonstrates and understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations - psychological needs - substance abuse issues and age associated illnesses and conditionsThe Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran and family members/caregiverThe initial psychosocial assessment - as well as reassessments - will be completed - as specified by the policy for the assigned work areaIn addition - a resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) is completed on each resident scheduled for an initial or quarterly Interdisciplinary Treatment Team reviewThe ITT meets weekly to review those Veterans that are scheduled for reviewReview dates depend upon date of original admission to the CLCResidents are also reviewed for significant changes in their treatment planThe Social Worker is responsible for developing knowledge regarding VA and community social service programs and utilizing this knowledge to the benefit of veteransThe Social Worker will refer the veteran to needed servicesThe Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiverWhen appropriate and feasible - the Social Worker will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowermentThe Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plansThe Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisisIn the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency - staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective unit and the facility at the Perry Point or BRECC siteWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 26794F & 26795F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No