Senior Social Worker (STEPPED CARE)

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.

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)
• Licenses/Certifications: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination - unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California - which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice)

Experience

• At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Expands clinical knowledge in the social work profession - and to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area

Skills

• Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area - utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area - as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay - higher or unique qualifications - or special needs of the VA
• Full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12

Pay

• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Physical Requirements

• Hearing required (aids permitted).

Duties

• With particular emphasis on the treatment of substance use disorders - independently provides specialized services for complex patients with service delivery to include intake evaluation - diagnostic assessments - psychotherapy and patient education
• Best practices - practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions
• Participates in development of a person-centered - culturally sensitive treatment plan for each patient with whom major contact is expected - with measurable goals outlined
• Affirms crisis situations - formulates crisis plans - provides crisis intervention - and follow up intervention services - developing individualized plans - with particular regard for addressing situations related to harm to self - others or grave disability
• Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
• Attends regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to specialized patient populations
• Responds to Veterans' request for release of records - return phone calls - linking of services and appropriate referrals as needed in a timely manner
• Collaborates with other services - as well as with community - health - welfare and service agencies
• Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program - service line and Medical Center level
• May supervise and participate in the training of Social Workers - Social Work Associates - volunteers - and students
• participates as required and requested in orientation - training and staff development programs involving Mental Health and VANCHCS
• Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule

• Full Time
• Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m- 4:30 p.m.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus)

• Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance)

• Not Authorized

Pay

• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Physical Requirements

• Hearing required (aids permitted).

Duties

• With particular emphasis on the treatment of substance use disorders - independently provides specialized services for complex patients with service delivery to include intake evaluation - diagnostic assessments - psychotherapy and patient education
• Best practices - practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions
• Participates in development of a person-centered - culturally sensitive treatment plan for each patient with whom major contact is expected - with measurable goals outlined
• Affirms crisis situations - formulates crisis plans - provides crisis intervention - and follow up intervention services - developing individualized plans - with particular regard for addressing situations related to harm to self - others or grave disability
• Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
• Attends regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to specialized patient populations
• Responds to Veterans' request for release of records - return phone calls - linking of services and appropriate referrals as needed in a timely manner
• Collaborates with other services - as well as with community - health - welfare and service agencies
• Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program - service line and Medical Center level
• May supervise and participate in the training of Social Workers - Social Work Associates - volunteers - and students
• participates as required and requested in orientation - training and staff development programs involving Mental Health and VANCHCS
• Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule

• Full Time
• Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m- 4:30 p.m.

References

• VA Handbook 5005/120 - Part II - Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard - GS-0185 - Veterans Health Administration - dated September 10 - 2019

Grade Determinations

• GS-12 Senior Social Worker

Physical Requirements

• Hearing required (aids permitted).