Social Worker

Summary This intermittent position provides as needed social work coverage to multiple programs for the veteran population enrolled at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. The primary focus will be those individuals participating in the following programs: PACT - Homemaker Home Health Aide and Veteran Directed Programs. Please note - this is not a full-time position. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States CitizenshipNon-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 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 levelGrandfathering ProvisionMay 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)English Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Grade DeterminationsIn addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesSocial 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 levelOR 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: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate servicesSkill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgroundsKnowledge 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 planSkill 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 goalsAbility 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 treatmentReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11Physical RequirementsSedentary and ambulation (walking) throughout the medical center and in the community according to the demands of daily tasksLight carrying - less than 15 pounds-may be required as part of duties related to storing or moving filesWorking around moving objects or vehicles required as part of daily ambulating within the medical center around patients who use motorized scooters and wheelchairsWorking alone duties require working alone at intervals during the day (i.e. - documenting progress notes - completing phone calls - etc)Reaching above shoulder- may be required during daily task to access files located in overhead cabinetsWalking-required approximately 3-4 hours daily associated with walking from assigned office to outpatient clinics and other medical center departments as needed to complete duties of the positionStanding-required approximately 3-4 hours daily associated with walking from assigned office to outpatient clinical and other departments withing the medical center as needed to complete duties of the positions and filling patient records as needed. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the veteran - family members and significant othersDeveloping the treatment plans and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/familyWork collaboratively with the veteran's assigned Firm/clinic social worker as appropriate for discharge planning - and community servicesCollaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needsResponsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-makerResponsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veteransMaintain resource directories sufficient to meet variety of situations and conditions across age and gender specific needsEducate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowermentExperienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for referral to appropriate MH servicesIn the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency - staff will follow facility protocolsProvides education related to VA and community resources - entitlements - advance directives/Living Will and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needsWork Schedule: Intermittent/as needed8:00am -4:30pmpm - varying days of the week to include weekends and holidaysRecruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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)Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: PD91224A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized