This position is utilized as part of a team that supports Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)/ Primary Care functions, and is expected to work on site at Jacksonville on University Blvd OR at The Villages on Mulberry Lane. Applicants choose their location of interest. The Clinical Social Worker is able to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, needs, abilities, and challenges with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 12/31/2024 Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be US Citizen. 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. The incumbent must be licensed or certified by a state at the independent or advanced practice level as determined by an ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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 meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Social Worker candidates must have the following: Experience and Licensure: 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. OR Education: In addition to meeting basic requirements listed above, 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. You must attach additional transcripts to support this qualification. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. If selected, you may be required to submit narrative responses then. These are the KSA's for this position and grade level: 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. Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this position is the GS-11 grade level. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling of emotions. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases. Able to meet the physical demands of the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. They must have good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken and written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. Position involves sitting for long periods of time. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf This position supports the PACT - Patient Aligned Care Team. The Clinical Social Worker possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions including the provision of short-term, solution-focused supportive counseling with Veterans and their family members/significant others/caregivers. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Knowledgeable of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including mental health patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Evaluate the need for Veterans to be referred for capacity exams (neuropsycholgical assessments, payee, fiduciary, etc.) through the Primary Care or Mental Health Provider. Identifies family/caregiver stressors and makes referrals to both VA and community resources to reduce caregiver burnout and support families and caregivers in providing care for Veterans. Assesses for any signs or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and follows required local policies regarding mandatory reporting and documentation. Must be knowledgeable of various mental health diagnoses and understand the diversification of the mental health within the Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns. Screen and assess for suicide risk to provide vital access to services for Veterans who may be experiencing suicidal ideations and be in need of care. Provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, incorporating complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans and making psychosocial and/or mental health diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledgeable regarding the continuum of care and is able to evaluate required level Properly document and scan records to ensure clear and accurate information regarding the Veterans' wishes are available in the electronic health record. Proactively addresses the goals of care conversations, discussing role of the surrogate, eliciting understanding of diagnosis and prognosis, eliciting patient's values, goals, providing basic information about LSTs & services, and documenting the conversation. Preferred Experience: Recent work experience in mental health and/or medical settings. Must have experience in case management. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: #51916F/ Social Worker Specialty Care Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
