Social Worker - Mental Health

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 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 to http://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 to http://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 deadlineFailure to Obtain License or CertificationIn all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointmentFailure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time (3 years) will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employmentLoss of Licensure or CertificationOnce licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employmentLoss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employmentEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)May 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: Social 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: Ability 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 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 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 - 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-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 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 of this position are - but not limited to: Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments - aiming to understand the needs of veterans - their families - and their caregiversThe incumbent's active engagement in the treatment planning process alongside other disciplines is crucial - ensuring the patient and family's psychosocial needs are carefully consideredPossesses a comprehensive understanding of diverse human backgrounds - adept counseling skills - and the ability to independently implement treatment plansThey independently provide a wide array of counseling services - including individual and family counseling - helping patients and their families cope with the experiences of disability - terminal illness - and deathThey extend their support beyond direct counseling - offering consultation and education to veterans and families on community resources - advance directives - and VA benefitsAdditionally - they act as a consultant to their team members - providing valuable insights and guidanceActs as a liaison between the VA and community resources - shouldering additional responsibilities such as marketing and public relation duties when neededTheir commitment to comprehensive care is evident as they provide case management services throughout the continuum of care - ensuring that veterans and their families receive the necessary support at every stageTheir holistic approach to care is further exemplified through their efforts in providing wellness and prevention educationProficiency in utilizing computer software applications for documentation - data management - and tracking is essential - particularly within the framework of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)The incumbent maintains data and statistical reports to comply with JCAHO - VA - and Medical Center policies and proceduresThe incumbent meticulously documents social work interventions and activities in patient clinical records - ensuring a smooth hand-off when transferring patient careExceptional interpersonal skills are vital for establishing and maintaining effective relationships with patients - families - and a spectrum of community agencies - communicating fluently in diverse cultural and professional settingsAn in-depth knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures is indispensable - encompassing acute - chronic - and traumatic conditions - as well as an understanding of common medications and their associated effects and side effectsContinuous professional growth and self-evaluation are encouraged - and active participation in professional peer reviews and case conferences is expectedThis role presents an invaluable opportunity to contribute significantly to the well-being and overall quality of life for our nation's honored veterans and their families - ensuring they receive the holistic support and care they deservePerforms other duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more