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. 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. Learn more Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: 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 School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.scwe.org/Accrediation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work; UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION OR YOUR APPLICATION MAY NOT BE REVIEWED. Licensure/Certification: Persons 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 level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. THIS POSITION IS BEING ANNOUNCED AT THE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL, THEREFORE THE LICENSE/CERTIFICATION WAIVER IS NOT APPLICABLE. Grandfathering Provision: 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for certification that are part of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned , promoted up to and including the full performance (journey)level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary or permanent basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C.§ 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. Grade Determinations: GS-0185-11 Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one (1) 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 level. 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 (1) year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. (c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. (d) Skill 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 goals. (e) Ability 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 treatment. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, Dated September 10, 2019. Preferred Experience in Crisis Intervention The position is announced at full performance level. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Applicants must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others. Position requires waling throughout the clinic and the Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, and repetitive motions of the wrists, hand, and/or fingers. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The duties of the Social Worker - ED/PACT include but are not limited to: Independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Providing a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice and within the scope of their license, to include triage, advocacy, individual, family, and group counseling, discharge planning, case management, crisis intervention, and other services as appropriate. Providing interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical behavioral health, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. Providing a range of interventions and treatment modalities which may include individual, group, and/or family counseling. Providing case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services and incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Participating in care planning with the interdisciplinary team, including whenever possible the Veteran and the Veteran's caregivers in the identification of treatment goals and preferred outcomes. Providing consultation/education to Veterans and caregivers on VA and community resources, benefits, and support services specific to the veteran's or caregivers needs. Acting as a consultant to other team/staff members, providing excellent customer service, advocacy, and education on relevant topics to internal and external customers. Acting as liaison between VA and community resources, to include public relations duties and fostering knowledge and collaboration between VA and community partners. Acting as subject matter expert for Advance Directives, Organ Donation, and Advanced Care Planning, In accordance with the standards of the work area. Actively participating in committee assignments. Participating in quality improvement projects and practices, to include peer chart reviews, data collection, and monitoring customer satisfaction, in compliance with JCAHO, CMS, State, VHA, and CVAHCS policies and procedures. Assisting Veterans and their caregivers in coping with loss and grief related to disability, chronic and terminal illness, and death. Documenting social work interventions and activities in the Veteran's clinical record according to professional and procedural standards and timelines. Linking the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities. Attending staff meetings and any other mandatory meetings. Remaining current and in good standing in licensure, privileging, and education requirements. Following VHA National Social Work Program and National Association of Social Workers Ethics and and Rules of Behavior, advancing the standing and reputation of profession at all times. Work Schedule: FT, Tour of Duty is 3, 12-hour shifts per week and 1 additional 8-hour shift every other week for a total of 80 hours per pay period\nTelework: Not Eligible\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 54433-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Yes\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]