Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration is hiring: Social Worker in For

Overview

NOTE : Readjustment Counselors are multi-disciplinary and can be filled by : Social Worker, Psychologist, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, and Marriage & Family Therapist. Each discipline is announced separately, and applicants must apply to the announcement for which they are qualified. 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. English Language Proficiency : In accordance with 38 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English to perform the duties of this position. Education : 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 verify that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of 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. Exception : VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure / certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must be licensed or certified.

Grade Determinations : GS-9 : Experience, Education, and Licensure : None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) : Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses / injuries; common medications and their effects / side effects; and medical terminology.

GS-11 Experience and Licensure : 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. OR Education : In addition to the 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 ( 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.

References : VA Handbook 5005 / 120, Part II, Appendix G39, dated 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 in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements : Light lifting (under 15 lbs.); light carrying (under 15 lbs.); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (intermittent); standing (intermittent); hearing (aid permitted); clear speech. The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items like papers or books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Responsibilities

• OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for multiple locations / positions that will remain open until May 24, initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 6 ,2024.
• Provide services to eligible individuals experiencing military related psychological and psychosocial problems. Implement psychotherapeutic modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to enhance readjustment of Veterans, active duty Service members, and their families.
• Intake screening and assessment, risk assessment for self-harm, military history, and family readjustment stressors; develop individualized readjustment counseling service plans with goals and measurable outcomes.
• Direct readjustment counseling service provision including psychosocial and psychiatric inferences within clinical scope of practice; crisis intervention as needed.
• Care coordination to link Veterans with community services and resources; maintain coordination with Vet Center outreach workers.
• Documentation of all clinical interactions and care coordination as required by policy; participate in team meetings and staff development.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work schedule and benefits

• Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm; some evenings and weekends may be required.
• Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : May be authorized for specific duty locations.
• Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Parental Leave : Up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy : Eligibility after 60 days of employment for eligible families.
• Retirement and Insurance : Federal pension and 401K with employer contributions; health/vision/dental coverage.
• Telework : Not Available. Virtual : Not a virtual position.
• Identification : Functional Statement # 87882A 68128A.