Social Worker

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).

02Education

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.

03Licensure

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/. [(1) 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-09 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified.

At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.] (a) For appointments at the GS-09 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker.

Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam.

In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure. (b) 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. (c) Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level.

Each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services, and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards.

All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/. The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations.

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).

04Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-09 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.

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. Social Worker, 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-09 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level. OR 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 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.

05Preferred Experience

Community health experience, nursing, discharge planning, case management and experience with VA Benefits and community resources. Ability to travel around Columbia VA catchment areas, Greenville, and the Midlands area. 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.

The Social Worker conducts face-to-face or virtual oversight visits per VACO and local Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) policies to assess Veteran satisfaction, safety, and quality of care; completes thorough psychosocial/functional assessments; reviews advance directives; and coordinates post-discharge linkage with the VA Primary Care Team. Services include high-quality case management, clinical oversight, discharge planning support, and advocacy for Veterans and caregivers.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Assessments / Case Management - Conducts thorough psychosocial assessments for Veterans under VA LTC or respite contracts; develops psychosocial diagnoses; provides high-quality case management and care coordination for Veterans in CNH or instructional settings under LTC/STR contracts; establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans, families, and skilled nursing facility staff; provides individual/family counseling and makes appropriate referrals; documents face-to-face, virtual, or telephonic visits in the medical record per service-level, GEC, and medical center policies.

Treatment Planning / Goal Setting - Meets with CNH staff to assist in determining appropriate plans of care including discharge planning; visits CNHs per established guidelines; assesses functional status and fitness for continued placement; alerts the assigned Community Health Nurse if continued placement is in doubt; addresses Veteran/caregiver concerns for residents in VA CNH or CCN facilities; refers issues outside scope to CNH RN Care Manager or CNH Coordinator and alerts supervisor as applicable; facilitates meetings with CNH staff to address VA, Veteran, or family concerns; demonstrates advanced understanding of adult and geriatric treatment needs including physical limitations, psychological needs, and associated illnesses.

Referral to Service Providers - Serves as subject matter expert on VA and community resources; collaborates with service providers to reassess the need for continued institutional care; coordinates with CNH Discharge Planner to transition Veterans to lower levels of care or home when appropriate. - Resource Usage / Development - Uses current social work resource files for VA and community social services programs to benefit Veterans in CNH/CCN; refers Veterans to needed services; maintains communication with GEC supervisory/administrative staff, VISN, and national program offices as applicable; keeps abreast of national program changes.

Crisis Intervention - Performs rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans; follows established program protocols in medical or psychiatric emergencies; processes alleged abuse cases per VA and community policy; ensures Chief of Social Work Services or designee is informed of concerns related to allegations of abuse/neglect involving patients or community facilities.

Supportive Counseling - Provides ongoing supportive counseling to Veterans and caregivers addressing psychosocial impacts of chronic/disabling illness, catastrophic or terminal illness, and institutional/non-institutional care needs; collaborates with CNH/CCN staff to support coping with loss, grief, disability, terminal illness, and death. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Compressed/Flexible: Not available.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. 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 #: 638103F, 63810F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.