This position serves as the Social Worker for the Social Work department within the Washington DC VA Medical Center VA Health Care System. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Note: 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. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Experience: At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience and Certifications Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification Full independent licensure at the advanced practice level At least two years should be in an area of specialized social work practice. Experience in conducting visits to impacted areas and emergency shelters, possibly in conjunction with VA Disaster Emergency Medical Personal System (DEMPS) or other Emergency Management response protocols Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional 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. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential. ["Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Independently conducts psychosocial assessments, identify psychosocial problems and stressors and contribute to interdisciplinary treatment plans. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. Incumbent provides professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: a) assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; b) use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and c) acting as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Independently implements different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychosocial, medical psychiatric, and medical problems to achieve treatment goals. Incumbent participates in Interdisciplinary assessments and treatment planning meetings. The social worker will complete necessary assessment related to care being delivers and goals of care. The social worker will be responsible for inviting the family, significant others, guardians, and/or representatives and ensuring communication of the treatment plan when not available. Incumbent will be responsible for facilitating Resident Council meeting, serving as advisors to the Resident Council, and acting as intermediaries between the Resident Council and CLC Administration as needed. The CLC Social Worker is responsible for documenting concerns and issues identified during Resident Council meetings and forwarding these concerns to appropriate staff members. The social worker provides interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, behavioral health, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. They provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities which may include individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy. They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable, achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Social workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and/or VISN level. They provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans offering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. The incumbent will facilitate discharge planning in conjunction with other disciplines to ensure safe disposition planning to home, nursing homes, residential communities, or other settings. Planning may include but is not limited coordination with community agencies and programs, consultation with other VA programs and departments, assistance with application for benefits, arranging interdisciplinary conferences/consultation to ensure education and awareness of discharge is known to veteran and their families. Social worker will educate the resident and their family on advanced health care planning which may include completion of advanced directives, facilitating interdisciplinary consultations, and The Social Worker will provide education to residents and their families regarding CLC Resident Right and Responsibilities within the time frames set out in facility and/or VISN policy. Social Work Service in conjunction with Voluntary Service will assist with obtaining funds for the purchase of hygiene items and haircuts as needed.. Other duties as assigned if mandated through local, VISN, and/or national policy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Available for well-qualified applicant"]
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.
