U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Social Worker
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 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 the VHA policy eligibility requirements 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 a complete review of the application.
Applicants pending completion of education or licensure requirements may be referred — tentatively selected — but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Qualifications 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: 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.
Provide crisis and problem-solving intervention techniques.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies.
Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures (acute, chronic, traumatic illnesses and injuries, medications, side effects, and medical terminology).
Entry-level assignments: GS-9 grade level social workers are supervised and assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience.
Duties include: Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; providing education; case management; advocacy of Veterans and families; referrals; psychosocial services under supervision.
GS-11: Experience and licensure: One year of post-MSW experience and licensure in a state at independent practice.
Education: A doctoral degree may substitute for the required experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of community resources for referral; ability to coordinate services; independent psychosocial assessments and interventions; medical and mental health diagnoses; independent treatment modalities; consultation to staff; full performance level assignments.
Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers – Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Work with veterans in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (Domiciliary RRTP) to improve independent living skills and address conditions that interfere with community integration.
Program activities: Provide case management; coordinate treatment planning and service delivery; supervise low-level staff as appropriate.
Functions and scope: Schedule and conduct assessment, planning, and monitoring of Veterans’ psychosocial and health status; maintain records; coordinate with interdisciplinary team.
Supervision: All social work duties must be under close supervision of a social work supervisor or licensed social worker of higher grade.
Therapeutic goals: Establish and implement evidence-based treatment plans and interventions.
Advocacy and coordination: Liaise with community and VA service providers to secure services and resources for Veterans.
Crisis intervention and discharge planning: Develop crisis management plans and coordinate with inpatient programs.
Resources: Maintain and update the VA and community social service resource file.
Parental leave: 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months employment (birth, adoption, or foster care). Child-care subsidy: 60 days after employment, up to 25% of eligible costs.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension, 401(k), health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance.
Telework: Not available; virtual: Not a virtual position.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Applicants pending completion of education or licensure requirements may be referred — tentatively selected — but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Qualifications 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: 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.
Provide crisis and problem-solving intervention techniques.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies.
Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures (acute, chronic, traumatic illnesses and injuries, medications, side effects, and medical terminology).
Entry-level assignments: GS-9 grade level social workers are supervised and assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience.
Duties include: Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; providing education; case management; advocacy of Veterans and families; referrals; psychosocial services under supervision.
GS-11: Experience and licensure: One year of post-MSW experience and licensure in a state at independent practice.
Education: A doctoral degree may substitute for the required experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of community resources for referral; ability to coordinate services; independent psychosocial assessments and interventions; medical and mental health diagnoses; independent treatment modalities; consultation to staff; full performance level assignments.
Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers – Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Work with veterans in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (Domiciliary RRTP) to improve independent living skills and address conditions that interfere with community integration.
Program activities: Provide case management; coordinate treatment planning and service delivery; supervise low-level staff as appropriate.
Functions and scope: Schedule and conduct assessment, planning, and monitoring of Veterans’ psychosocial and health status; maintain records; coordinate with interdisciplinary team.
Supervision: All social work duties must be under close supervision of a social work supervisor or licensed social worker of higher grade.
Therapeutic goals: Establish and implement evidence-based treatment plans and interventions.
Advocacy and coordination: Liaise with community and VA service providers to secure services and resources for Veterans.
Crisis intervention and discharge planning: Develop crisis management plans and coordinate with inpatient programs.
Resources: Maintain and update the VA and community social service resource file.
Parental leave: 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months employment (birth, adoption, or foster care). Child-care subsidy: 60 days after employment, up to 25% of eligible costs.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension, 401(k), health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance.
Telework: Not available; virtual: Not a virtual position.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr