The incumbent clinical social worker that is assigned to the St. Cloud VA HCS Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community (MH ICC). The Social Worker in this position engages in expanding and integrating Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services across the Health Care System, broadening access to SUD therapeutic services, promoting SUD service integration, and reducing stigma. 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 Policy. English 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 part. Education Requirement: Master of Social Work: Applicants must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Note: Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. OR Grandfathering Provision: 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 the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Licensure Requirement: Appointment at the GS-11 Full Performance Level: Persons hired or reassigned to full performance 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. OR Appointment at the GS-9 (Entry or Developmental Level): VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For 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 worker. OR Grandfathering Provision: 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Mental Health Substance Abuse/Disorder treatment interventions Interdisciplinary program coordination ??????? Grade Determinations: GS-9 None beyond the basic requirements. For 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 worker. Most 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 exam. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability 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 needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. GS-11 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 level. OR 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 setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In 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 services. 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. 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. 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. 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 Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and non-strenuous and is carried out within the confines of the office/workspace provided. A significant amount of walking throughout the health care system can be anticipated in order to facilitate face to face contact with veterans, family members and medical center staff. Some travel to other St. Cloud VA Health Care System facilities and outlying clinics, community agencies and referral/resource services would be anticipated. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Clinical mental health functions include the following tasks:\nEngaging various care settings across the Health Care System to promote and integrate SUD services.\nCreating and implementing Action Plans for achieving SUD service integration goals.\nConducting behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments of Veterans and collateral contacts. Establish Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnoses.\nCreating comprehensive, recovery-focused behavioral health and mental health treatment plans with Veterans and in coordination with other disciplines.\nCompleting suicide/homicide risk assessments and safety plans, as required.\nProviding clinically efficacious, evidence-based therapeutic services to include individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy/counseling services for Veterans.\nInterview Veterans and their families to develop/complete biopsychosocial assessments utilizing knowledge of human development and behavior and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture.\nEstablishing and maintaining therapeutic alliances with Veterans and their families.\nAnalyzing complex psychological problems.\nCoordinating with internal and external and ancillary mental health professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care.\nDeveloping and providing psychoeducational groups.\nEducating and training other professionals and students in evidence-based treatment modalities and facility service availability as related to SUD.\nMaking sound professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and treatment planning\nCollaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary healthcare team.\nMaintaining data and statistical compilations to comply with CARF, Joint Commission, VA and health care system policy and procedures.\nProviding advocacy to overcome potential barriers to access care/services and when it is in the best interests of the Veteran. Educate and empower the Veteran/family to advocate on his/her own behalf.\nIdentifying service gaps and collaborate with others across the Health Care System to encourage development or modification of services to meet the needs of Veterans.\nProviding education and assist in the completion of Advance Directives; Organ, Tissue, and Eye\nDonation release of information forms; and Guardianship documentation as requested\nMaintaining accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice and VA administration guidelines.\nPossessing and demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.\nAttending and participating in all required clinical and administrative meetings.\nCollaborating in performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for specific population/program\nConducting practice in accordance with the VA and discipline specific ethical requirements.\nPracticing within the limits of current licensure or certification.\nProviding orientation, supervision and/or mentoring to new SWs.\nThe incumbent may be detailed to other areas of need in the MHSL to meet the needs of the health care system, will be determined by the direct supervisor and/or the MH Integrated Care Community Director and typically will not exceed 25% of the total hours per week Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0800-1630, evenings and weekends maybe required.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]