Summary

The Social Worker is a case manager/therapist assigned to the MHICM Program and provides intensive case management services for seriously mental ill (SMI) Veterans.

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: Candidates must 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: Social workers at the GS-11 level 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/ 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: Experience: In additional to meeting the basic requirements as stated above - you must have the following: GS-11 Level: 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 - and are able to demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities: 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
• Preferred Experience: Home visit experience - experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness preferred
• 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
• Physical Requirements: The job is sedentary but requires movement throughout the medical center
• In times of psychiatric emergency - the incumbent is expected to participate in verbal de-escalation - verbal and physical restraint - as necessary - to prevent serious physical harm to patients - staff - or others and may be asked to actively participate in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior training and practice
• All candidates must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Candidates must meet the physical requirements outlined in Section II and Section VI of the OPM Operating Manual - Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions and must possess emotional and mental stability.

Duties

• 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 James H
• Quillen VA Medical Center: (Mountain Home - TN / Johnson City - TN): Johnson City - located in upper Eastern Tennessee - is a cultural melting pot with invigorating music - amazing outdoor activities - and enchanting culture and history
• Local festivals include the Umoja Festival - Blue Plum Festival - The Unicoi Apple Festival - and the Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol TN/VA
• Enjoy year round outdoor activities at our area lakes and parks
• Other attractions in the area are the Barter Theater - Bristol Motor Speedway - and Asheville - NC's Biltmore House
• Come and enjoy an affordable cost of living - no state income tax - and excellent schools and universities! Start your adventure in Johnson City - Tennessee! a Hometown Heart with a Big City Soul! The incumbent provides clinical services to promote sustained community stability and address issues related to chronic mental illness and other complex/diverse psychosocial problems
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Conducts intake and needs assessment of Veterans and their significant others
• Identifies symptoms which may lead to clinical diagnoses of SMI and co-occuring disorders
• Provides all necessary assessment functions - e.g. - interviewing - psychosocial histories - and referrals to aid in the development of treatment plans
• Develops comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran that address the symptoms of SMI and other co-occuring disorders within a recovery model framework
• Works with Veteran to realize the Veteran's treatment goals and reassesses and revises goals as indicated by the Veterans engagement in treatment
• 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
• Will provide recovery-oriented treatment wtih the goal to support the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning and quality of life
• Will serve as a member of multidisciplinary MHICM program treatment team
• Will provide liaison services with other programs referring SMI Veterans to ensure continuity of care and promote successful transition of Veterans from the MHICM program following graduation from the program
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:45am- 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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: Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60507_F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized