Career Center

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 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: 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
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment
• Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• 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:
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Social Worker - GS-11: (1) 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 - (2) 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
• (3) 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 - educational - and other 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 - 8 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent serves as a Clinical Social Worker within the Residential Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program - providing advanced practice social work services to Veterans with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
• Major duties include: - Conducts comprehensive screenings and psychosocial assessments - including differential diagnosis - evaluation of co-occurring conditions - and collection of collateral information as appropriate
• Develops written interpretive summaries and diagnostic impressions to guide individualized treatment planning
• - Formulates collaborative - measurable treatment plans based on assessment findings - incorporating evidence-based tools - Veteran goals - safety planning - and interdisciplinary input
• Ensures plans are developed and updated in accordance with VA MH-RRTP standards and facility timeframes
• - Provides individual and group counseling and psychotherapy utilizing evidence-based modalities for which training has been completed
• Delivers psychoeducation and teaches coping strategies to Veterans and their families
• Uses assessment tools to monitor treatment effectiveness and adjusts interventions as needed
• - Performs crisis intervention - including rapid assessment and development of crisis management plans
• Follows Mental Health Service Line and facility protocols during psychiatric or medical emergencies and conducts safety assessments and safety planning
• - Serves as a subject matter expert on VA and community resources
• educates Veterans and families on available services
• and coordinates referrals to internal and external providers
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to reassess needs and ensure continuity of care
• - Advocates for Veterans and their families by reducing barriers - assisting with navigation of complex systems - and fostering empowerment and self-advocacy
• - Provides health education and promotion related to Advance Directives - VA and community benefits - and other identified needs
• Coordinates with other team members for multidisciplinary education
• - May provide clinical supervision to unlicensed social workers and serve as a Field Instructor for MSW students - in accordance with program and university requirements
• - Maintains timely - accurate - and professional documentation in the electronic medical record in compliance with VA policies
• Participates in performance improvement activities - staff meetings - treatment teams - and the development of policies or practice guidelines
• - Establishes effective working relationships with internal staff - external stakeholders - and community agencies
• Provides consultation to colleagues on psychosocial issues - treatment recommendations - and resource coordination
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact visn15edrp@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized