Social Worker-Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center

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.

01Basic 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education-Documentation Submitted: 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-Documentation Submitted: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA 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).

02Grade Determinations

Social Worker, GS-11 (1) 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 nonVA 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. (3) 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, educational, and other 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.

03Preferred Experience

Preferred experience through prior treatment of Veterans having a diagnosis of a serious mental illness (SMI), trained experience utilizing the recovery model, prior work in a Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC), and activities of community integration supporting Veterans directly in their own community of choice. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Social Worker is assigned to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC). The PRRC provides contemporary psychiatric programs and services, training and education, collaboration, and advocacy, with system-wide impact. The center provides comprehensive and intensive services to the seriously mentally ill (SMI) Veteran population and their families. The patient caseload is complex based on the severity of the mental illness, co morbidities, and resistance to standard treatments.

Treatment interventions are innovative and highly individualized. The PRRC Social Worker will work with the interdisciplinary team and provides evaluation/consultation, psychosocial assessments, and referrals to various community agencies and hospital services to patients enrolled in the PRRC. The PRRC Social Worker will meet with participants to assist them in identifying and developing their goals.

Working collaboratively with the participant, they will establish an Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) to attain these goals. The PRRC Social Worker will be required to demonstrate teaching and group facilitation skills such as motivation-based strategies, interactive teaching, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Performs insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness and substance use. Makes professional decisions and recommendations for treatment.

The social worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. The social worker is also skilled in communication techniques to de-escalate or bring comfort to Veterans in crisis. Social worker will have 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.

Consults with other specialists in planning treatment for Veterans and with co-morbidities, and those who may be treated in other specialized programs. Provides psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological), and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture.

Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team which includes working with the Veteran/family in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop and implement a recovery plan. Demonstrates acceptance, interest, encouragement, and selective use of questioning, explanation, and guidance in working with veterans to help them explore their problems.

Employs Social Work methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the veteran work toward the best way of dealing with his/her problems. Exercises professional control over the therapeutic relationship so the patient may constructively express feelings yet retains maximum use of his/her capacities for responsible self-direction.

Demonstrates ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.

Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/significant others in support of the Veteran's treatment Facilitates the execution of Advance Directives upon request and interest of the Veteran, as the social worker is the content expert in this area of healthcare.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc/Situational-Occasional, Non-routine Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 80049F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more