Summary

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is currently seeking an Independently Licensed Social Worker - to serve in the Mental Health Care Line - Substance Dependence Program (SUDEP) and Domiciliary Substance Use Disorder department. The Social Worker at the GS-11 level independently provides clinical - psychosocial and case management services to eligible veterans with substance use disorders and other mental health issues. This position is in a residential program for veterans with a SUD Diagnosis.

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
• 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
• Licensure
• Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations Social Worker - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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
• NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c
• 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
• 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 - 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 Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work
• Incumbents are assigned to all program areas - including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine - surgery - mental health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - and geriatrics
• Employees provide professional - independent social work services in the assigned area
• Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect - exploitation and/or intimate partner violence
• use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies - handbooks or directives
• and acts 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
• Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - identifying the Veteran's strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and psychosocial acuity
• In collaboration with the Veteran - family/caregiver - and interdisciplinary treatment team - the social worker facilitates the delivery of health care services
• The social worker identifies family/caregiver stressors - conducts assessment and provides specific interventions
• The incumbent provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services - incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans - including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• The social worker links the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - in order to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• The social worker conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs - evaluate risk - and initiate safety plan as appropriate
• 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 - groups - and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G39 - Qualification Standards for Social Workers
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Participates with an interdisciplinary clinical team to help each veteran be successful in DOM SUD
• Manages a caseload of patients with complex addictions - and mental and related physical problems - Completes Risk Assessments as needed (CSRE - C-SSRS and continue assessing and respond to risk throughout DOM SUD stay
• Assess and developed - utilizing the BAM-IOP - diagnostic bio-psycho-social evaluations - and individualized treatment plan
• Develops a diagnostic evaluation/summary of the client's substance abuse
• Provides weekly individual counseling to address specific needs of each veteran
• Leads evidenced-based group therapy - weekly and on assigned weekend
• Provides Evidence-Based psychoeducation for individuals - families and couples
• Assess readiness and provide skills to help veterans be successful with passes
• Assists veterans as they identified support systems outside of treatment
• Administers crisis intervention to patients in psychological distress handling emergencies within the scope of practice
• Makes referrals to appropriate resources to help veterans with legal - housing - vocational - medical - psychiatric - and other needs
• Assists veterans with developing a recovery/transition plan
• Makes recommendations to the treatment team regarding readiness for discharge
• Completes discharge telephone contacts as needed
• Document all needed paperwork and encounters with veterans
• Actively participate in weekday DOM SUD Team meetings Actively participate in weekly DOM SUD Huddle team meetings Analyze problems and interpret and adapt guidelines such as policies - regulations - precedents - etc
• for application to specific problems and recommend changes
• Help fill in - as needed and availability - with DOM SUD programing
• Collaborate with DOM SUD staff to ensure quality patient care and compliance with The Joint Commission and CARF Standards
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92741-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized