The incumbent serves as the Marriage and Family Senior Social Worker and facilitates the triage and processing of consults for Marriage and Family Mental Health services at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC. 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. Basic 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: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Education: Must 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED)In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following must be met to qualify at the GS 12 level. GS-12 Grade Determination: Must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability. ["This incumbent is responsible for the coordination of duties within the program, providing treatment to Veterans who are requesting Marriage/Family Mental Health services and referred from other departments within Mental Health, such as Veterans with a diagnosis of Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse Disorder, PTSD, Dual Diagnosis, etc. The patients for whom the incumbent regularly provides treatment services, include couples and families with a wide range of mental health care problems including acute and chronic psychiatric conditions, substance abuse disorders, homelessness, and other behavioral health problems. Incumbent employs a full range of social work treatment modalities with individuals, families and groups with appropriate regard for the complexity of a given problem as assigned; he/she provides services at any and all points on the continuum of care from pre-admission to post discharge and outpatient follow up. In addition, the incumbent has a specialized focus on Marriage/Family Therapy, serving as the primary provider for couple's therapy referrals. Collaborates with the BHIP teams, which consist of a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals and administrative staff that provide comprehensive accessible patient centered mental health care in partnership with the Veteran and/or the Veteran's family. Works in conjunction with an interdisciplinary psychiatric team to provide access and assessment of mental health issues, managing the mental health needs of a prescribed panel of patients. This incumbent may lead team meetings, daily huddles and other meetings with program management as needed. Works collaboratively with MH managers on tracking and reporting on relevant national performance measures. Works collaboratively with the Suicide Prevention Team, maintaining responsibility for monitoring patients that may be at high risk for suicide. Works collaboratively with other Outpatient Mental Health stakeholders, including the BHIP Coordinator, the Recovery Coordinator, MST Coordinator, OEF/OIF Coordinator, Evidence Based Treatment Coordinator and EAP Coordinator and other acute care staff. Maintains a general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, non-service connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon veterans needs and eligibility. Serves as a member of various councils, committees and workgroups as designated, and participates in department/professional continuing education activities. When assigned to the graduate education program, the incumbent demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the special area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, including Marriage/Family therapy, use of evidence-based interventions, psychoeducation, case/care management, and referrals as appropriate. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.