Social Worker (BHIP)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationPossess 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 workFor grades below or at the full performance 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 3 years of their appointment as a social workerLicensurePossess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree levelEnglish Language ProficiencySocial workers must be proficient in spoken and written EnglishGS-11: Must have two years postgraduate experience and be Licensed at the Advanced Practice Level (LCSW)In addition - the candidate must demonstrate 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 - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified 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 Requirements: This position is mostly sedentary and requires walking - kneeling - bending - standing - and light lifting. Duties MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Social Worker independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible Veterans and their family members - to address biological - psychological - social - and environmental needsVeterans treated are primarily from the John JPershing catchment areaTheir health care and psychosocial needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solvingServices are provided at the John JPershing VAMC and in the communityThe incumbent interacts not only with patients - but also family members - significant others - community agencies - and other staffSocial Worker GS-0185-11 AInterviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments: Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation - presenting problems and their causes - and the impact on functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessmentInterprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programsReviews and evaluates data - subjective and objective - to identify needs and strengths - using advanced clinical skill and insightBMakes Psychosocial Diagnoses: Independently evaluates the client's situation and response to stressors - and arrives at reasoned conclusionsUses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make psychosocial diagnoses and assess at-risk factors - developing preliminary disposition plans with the Veteran and significant othersPerforms insightful assessments of serious and complicated cases - including those involving psychiatric illness - catastrophic medical conditions - dementia - and other high-risk diagnosesMakes independent professional recommendations for agency action - recognizing the serious consequences to the VeteranCPlans Effective Treatment: Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and sets clinical goalsMakes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA resources and referrals - based on initial assessment and likelihood of acceptanceProvides independent consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team regarding courses of treatmentCoordinates screening of patients for specific mental health programs and provides ongoing treatment per guidelinesMakes decisions that may have significant impact on the Veteran's life - such as long-term placement or separation from family - drawing on advanced practice skills and professional judgmentDImplements Treatment: Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/significant others in support of treatmentOffers advice - guidance - emotional support - and counseling services - including psychotherapy when appropriateAssists Veterans in problem-solving - evaluates situations realistically - explores alternatives - and utilizes resources for resolutionOrganizes community services and develops/coordinates procedures for use by related staffMaintains a productive network of referral resources and makes provisions for additional servicesApplies professional judgment and advanced practice skills in daily interactions with Veterans - particularly those with complex situations and histories of noncomplianceEEvaluation - Education - Supervision - Coaching - and Mentoring Establishes ongoing relationships with Veterans - evaluates progress - and updates treatment plansDocuments psychosocial assessments - diagnostics - treatment - progress notes - follow-up - and referral in the medical record (paper/electronic)Explains treatment and progress to stakeholders as appropriateManages quality control and evaluates the effectiveness of services providedDevises methods and evaluates data to determine treatment effectivenessDirects and coordinates clinical and psychosocial services - ensuring overall effectiveness and modifying services to best meet Veterans' needsCoordinates Social Work services with other treatment program offerings to ensure complementarity and comprehensivenessProvides case management services to Veterans at high social or medical risk - serving as liaison to other programsWork Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VISN15EDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Bargaining Unit: Yes Telework: Adhoc Telework Only as Needed.