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. 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: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English Education: Candidates must 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 accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification 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 work. Licensure: 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/. Exception. 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 the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At 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 deadline. 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: GS-9 Requirements: GS-9 is the entry level grade for the GS-185 social work series and is used for social workers with less than one year of post-MSW experience and for social workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social workers at the GS-9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. 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, Education, and Licensure: This is the full performance level of the position and requires an Experience/Education and a Licensure component. Experience/Education: Completion of a minimum of one (1) year of post-MSW degree 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) OR 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. AND Licensure: Licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level is required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed below. 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: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and sedentary in nature but may require some travel. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU This is a multiprogram program position to include approximately 50% polytrauma and 50% spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D). Working in polytrauma, the social worker provides direct care coordination, care management, and case management of severely ill and/or injured Veterans assisting in coping with acute illness, chronic illness, combat stress, the residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), community adjustment, addictions, and other health and mental health problems maximizing rehabilitation and treatment potential. The social worker is a consultant and resource for both the facility and community partners. The social worker coordinates with polytrauma rehabilitation centers throughout the system of care as needed to ensure continuity of care and services. When working with Veterans who have SCI/D, the social worker provides direct care coordination, care management, and case management, including assisting with referrals. The social worker is responsible for facilitating an efficient and appropriate delivery of care across episodes of care within the \"Hub\" (SCI/D Center) and the \"Spoke\" (VA facilities where locally accessible primary care is provided) System of Care. Major Duties: Major Duties: Completes psychosocial evaluation, assessment and periodic reassessments of Veterans and active-duty service members. Coordinates provision of individual and family treatment and support services provided to Veterans and their families. Participates on Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT), which may include facilitating IDT meetings. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and ensures discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening Veterans for psychosocial needs. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. Conducts psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the IDT. Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Documents all care and services appropriately in the medical record in accordance with national and local policies, as well as professional standards. Advocates on behalf of Veterans to ensure that services and benefits are obtained in a timely manner. Manages, coordinates and is accountable for the provision and overall effectiveness of care coordination, care management, and case management and family support services. Works collaboratively with staff in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Military Treatment Facility (MTF) case managers, the Post 9/11 Military to Veteran (M2VA) Case Management Program, the healthcare community and with other staff and partners who provide services to Veterans. Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, military systems, other government programs and community agency programs. Incumbent maintains a current network of referral resources to address Veteran needs. Identifies high-risk Veterans and provides case management services in collaboration with their supervisor and the IDT. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. General knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation and non-service-connected pension. Prepares reports as required by the program in collaboration with supervisor. Maintains compliance with all performance measures. Ability to evaluate incumbent's own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56374-O and 56373-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Gina Hammer, gina.hammer@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results