The incumbent serves as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker providing Primary Care Mental Health Integration and Behavioral Health services to patients with complex bio-psycho-social issues enrolled at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VAMC. The Social Worker coordinates the day-to-day integrated mental health patient care treatment needs of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) 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/. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-11) GRADE DETERMINATIONS: 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, 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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II, Appendix G39 EFFECTIVE: September 10, 2019 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: Use of fingers, both hands required, able to see computer screen, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone. ["RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE AUTHORIZED Develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. Provide compassionate care to Veterans with serious medical and psychiatric problems thru crisis intervention, counseling, and/or referral. Assist Veterans to develop coping skills for multiple complex psychosocial issues which impact functioning through group classes on family life skills. Identify resources to meet the needs of Veterans. Deliver psychosocial services via individual, couple, family, and group counseling utilizing face-to-face, telephone, or tele-mental health video conferencing. Provide the following integrated mental health service delivery in a Primary Care setting: Collaboration with PCP/Team, making \"warm hand-off\" a priority. Open Access format in place to address same day clinical issues, \"Trouble shooting\". Rapid evaluation and stabilization, consultation. Once stable, will work in collaboration with Primary Care Provider (PCP) and return patient to PCP for routine care. Refer and help facilitate transfer (Referral Management) to specialty mental health care when indicated. Develop the treatment plan in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others, setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family and treatment team. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. Educate the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Use the social work resource file of VA and community social service programs to refer Veterans. Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. Educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans for transfer to a safe and supportive environment. Provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred for mental health services. Educate the Veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on the preferred option. Provide Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling and evidence-based therapies as appropriate. Enter Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate 3 formats and templates. Ensure that communication is compliant with privacy, Release of Information and Health Information Portability and Accountability Act regulations. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies Attend staff meetings. Participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Participate in providing Tele-Mental Health Services to Veterans in rural remote areas as appropriate to address their specific psycho-social care needs. Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available, depending on the needs of the department Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available, Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.
