Social Worker (Mental Health Residential Treatment Program Case Manager)

VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT): VHA HPTs pending the completion of education or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. NOTE: This applies to current/past/upcoming VHA HPTs only.

An HPT is an individual appointed to a temporary position in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).

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.

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 SW Licensure by State Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-11 Social Worker (Full Performance Level) Requirements 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 or certification in a state at the independent practice level. GS-9 experience includes: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience.

Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals. ~OR~ Education.

In addition to meeting 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. 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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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.

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 a GS-11.

04Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Independently performs case finding functions, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. This social worker must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities for the residents in the substance abuse track, PTSD track and the Psychosocial track for MH RRTP.

Independently, conducts treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. The social worker possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions.

The social worker is able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government and community agency programs. Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides weekly case management services for the three tracks in the MH RRTP. This social worker provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members.

She/he possesses a general understanding of medication effects/sides effects, and medical terminology. Establishes and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. This social worker is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling and psychotherapy skills. Acts as a subject matter expert on VA and/or other community resources.

Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs for non-institutional, institutional services/programs and entitlements. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 23017F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. 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. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized