Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Social Worker
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Menlo Park, California, United States, 94029
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of education or licensure requirements may be referred - tentatively selected - but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements
The requirements for VHA social workers are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9) - amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - November 1 - 2000
To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: 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)
A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for a 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 master's of Social Work
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social work positions in VHA must be licensed 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/
Exception: This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the unlicensed social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
GS-9 grade level: VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment
A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/
Failure to Obtain License or Certification: Failure to become licensed within the prescribed time will result in removal from the Social Worker series and may result in termination of employment
Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed - social workers must maintain a full - valid - unrestricted independent license to remain qualified for employment
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: In addition to the above for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
GS-9: Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
Assess the psychosocial functioning needs of Veterans and their family members to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
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
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
Entry Level Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised - as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure
Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience
Duties may include - but are not limited to: Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect - or exploitation - providing education - social work case management - acting as an advocate of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
identifying the strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - psychosocial acuity - and assisting with the appropriate referrals
GS-9 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision
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 (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure in a state at the independent practice level
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 the community and other governmental agencies for services - and the ability to coordinate services
Independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds
Medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - 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
Independently implementing different treatment modalities - working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goals
Provide consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment
Full Performance Level Assignments: This is the full performance level
Social workers at this level are licensed to independently practice social work
Incumbents are assigned to all program areas - including but not limited to mental health - rehabilitation - and geriatrics
Provide professional - independent social work services in the assigned area
Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting symptoms of abuse - neglect - exploitation - or intimate partner violence
maintaining Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policy
acting as an advocate with VA and community service providers when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
Independently formulate and implement a treatment plan - including achievable goals - identifying the needs - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and psychosocial acuity
Providing subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the treatment of Veterans - offering professional opinions based on experience - expertise - and role modeling effective social work practice skills
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
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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will work with veterans in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (Domiciliary RRTP) to improve independent living skills and address issues and conditions that interfere with effective community integration
This is typically accomplished through group and individual sessions - case management activities - as well as the coordination of treatment planning and service delivery
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: GS-09: Work is reviewed through regularly scheduled meetings with the supervisor - through monitoring of progress notes and other accountability practices as required by the state's licensing agency - and from reports from the program areas to which the incumbent is assigned
All social work duties must be under the close supervision of a social work supervisor or licensed social worker of a higher grade
GS-11: The incumbent practices independently - using professional judgment and expertise to make decisions about services and treatment provided for veterans and their significant others/family members
The incumbent is given authority to make their work assignments within the program area to which assigned
They consult with the supervisor as needed and with colleagues to develop knowledge and to apply agency policies and practices to new matters
The work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices applicable to the subject
Patient Care: The incumbent possesses knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities - provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families - and groups
Screening/Assessment: Under the direction of the supervisor - the incumbent will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the veteran - family members - and significant others
Discharge Planning/Treatment Planning/Goal Setting: This position has a strong discharge planning emphasis - focusing on both the development of needed permanent housing resources for Veterans transitioning back into the community and coordinating/executing the individual discharge plans for veterans leaving the program with an emphasis on permanent housing
Referral to service providers: The incumbent will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs
Resource Usage/Development: The incumbent is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans
Advocacy: The incumbent understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family
Crisis Intervention: Under the direction of the supervisor - the incumbent develops experience in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services: The incumbent will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for mental health services
Other Duties as assigned Work Schedule: M-F 8:0 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor
Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive
Contact V21CCOEEDRP@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator - for questions/assistance
Learn more 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)
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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 02467-F - 02468-F
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of education or licensure requirements may be referred - tentatively selected - but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements
The requirements for VHA social workers are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9) - amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - November 1 - 2000
To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: 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)
A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for a 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 master's of Social Work
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social work positions in VHA must be licensed 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/
Exception: This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the unlicensed social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
GS-9 grade level: VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment
A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/
Failure to Obtain License or Certification: Failure to become licensed within the prescribed time will result in removal from the Social Worker series and may result in termination of employment
Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed - social workers must maintain a full - valid - unrestricted independent license to remain qualified for employment
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: In addition to the above for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
GS-9: Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
Assess the psychosocial functioning needs of Veterans and their family members to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
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
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
Entry Level Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised - as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure
Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience
Duties may include - but are not limited to: Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect - or exploitation - providing education - social work case management - acting as an advocate of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
identifying the strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - psychosocial acuity - and assisting with the appropriate referrals
GS-9 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision
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 (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure in a state at the independent practice level
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 the community and other governmental agencies for services - and the ability to coordinate services
Independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds
Medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - 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
Independently implementing different treatment modalities - working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goals
Provide consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment
Full Performance Level Assignments: This is the full performance level
Social workers at this level are licensed to independently practice social work
Incumbents are assigned to all program areas - including but not limited to mental health - rehabilitation - and geriatrics
Provide professional - independent social work services in the assigned area
Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting symptoms of abuse - neglect - exploitation - or intimate partner violence
maintaining Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policy
acting as an advocate with VA and community service providers when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
Independently formulate and implement a treatment plan - including achievable goals - identifying the needs - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and psychosocial acuity
Providing subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the treatment of Veterans - offering professional opinions based on experience - expertise - and role modeling effective social work practice skills
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
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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will work with veterans in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (Domiciliary RRTP) to improve independent living skills and address issues and conditions that interfere with effective community integration
This is typically accomplished through group and individual sessions - case management activities - as well as the coordination of treatment planning and service delivery
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: GS-09: Work is reviewed through regularly scheduled meetings with the supervisor - through monitoring of progress notes and other accountability practices as required by the state's licensing agency - and from reports from the program areas to which the incumbent is assigned
All social work duties must be under the close supervision of a social work supervisor or licensed social worker of a higher grade
GS-11: The incumbent practices independently - using professional judgment and expertise to make decisions about services and treatment provided for veterans and their significant others/family members
The incumbent is given authority to make their work assignments within the program area to which assigned
They consult with the supervisor as needed and with colleagues to develop knowledge and to apply agency policies and practices to new matters
The work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices applicable to the subject
Patient Care: The incumbent possesses knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities - provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families - and groups
Screening/Assessment: Under the direction of the supervisor - the incumbent will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the veteran - family members - and significant others
Discharge Planning/Treatment Planning/Goal Setting: This position has a strong discharge planning emphasis - focusing on both the development of needed permanent housing resources for Veterans transitioning back into the community and coordinating/executing the individual discharge plans for veterans leaving the program with an emphasis on permanent housing
Referral to service providers: The incumbent will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs
Resource Usage/Development: The incumbent is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans
Advocacy: The incumbent understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family
Crisis Intervention: Under the direction of the supervisor - the incumbent develops experience in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services: The incumbent will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for mental health services
Other Duties as assigned Work Schedule: M-F 8:0 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor
Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive
Contact V21CCOEEDRP@VA.GOV - the EDRP Coordinator - for questions/assistance
Learn more 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)
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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 02467-F - 02468-F
#J-18808-Ljbffr