Social Worker

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this partEducation Requirement: 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 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 to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social workLicensure Requirement: LicensurePersons 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 to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/Exception: VHA 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 deadlineMay 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) Grade Determinations: GS-9 (Entry Level): Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirementsFor appointments at the GS-9 grade level - VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment as a social workerMost states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification examDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAsAbility to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivorsAbility 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 neededAbility 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 techniquesAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agenciesFundamental 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 terminologyGS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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 - (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice levelOR 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 settingDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAsKnowledge 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 treatmentReferences: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments to determine needs of veterans and family membersThe incumbent will conduct intake substance use disorder assessments for patients to determine appropriate VA program needsThe incumbent is an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplinesThe incumbent will participate in transition/discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that transitions plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriateThe incumbent will provide individual - family and group counseling as appropriateIndividual and group services will be focused on substance use disorder treatmentThe incumbent will provide consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources - advance directives and VA benefitsThe incumbent will act as a consultant to other team/staff membersThe incumbent will provide consultation/education to students of all disciplines on clinical practice and VA policy and procedureThe incumbent will provide case management to veterans and families - as needed - throughout the continuum of careThe incumbent will provide a full range of social services within commonly accepted standards of their profession - which includes case work - individual - family and group counseling - discharge planning - case management and other services as appropriateThe incumbent will assist patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability - terminal illness and deathThe incumbent will document therapy interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS and ensure appropriate transfer of patients internally within the VA system and with other external agentsThe incumbent will participate in providing evening services to accommodate patient care needs - one night per weekWork Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pmone evening a week 10:00 am to 6:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov. - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized