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This Social Worker is assigned to the Outpatient Mental Health Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Center (PACC) clinic within the Mental Health Service line at VA Puget Sound Health Care System located at the American Lake division, Tacoma, Washington with responsibility to provide direct services for Veterans, their families, and caregivers To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. 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. 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/. 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-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, 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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 non-VA 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: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 September 10, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G39 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. Physical Requirements: Sitting Long period of times. ["Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides a full range of services within the Social Work scope of practice based on Veteran's needs, acuity level, and preference of care. Services include care coordination activities as the primary job function, including needs assessment, walk-in/crisis services, education, provision of self-management resources, care, or case management (as needed), discharge planning, outreach, and other services as appropriate for Veterans presenting to the same day access services. Provides care coordination (including care management or case management) to Veterans and families, as needed, over time and facilitating follow up and outreach as needed to promote proactive, personalized care and care continuity. This includes communication within and across care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Provides mental health and psychosocial assessment for Veterans with a broad range of mental health issues, including services for patients with a myriad of mental health and psychosocial needs requiring diagnostic and intervention skills. Provides education to Veterans and family members regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment. Provides consultation and psychoeducation to Veterans and Veteran families on topics including community resources, Advance Care Planning, VA benefits, budgeting, activities of daily living, and recovery goals. Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the Medical Center. Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agencies. Documents all Veteran care in the electronic health record in accordance with facility policy, VHA Directive 1162.05 (and revisions), and program-specific SOPs. Takes responsibility for improving professional competencies by participating training programs and continuing education. Maintain accurate records of trainings in accordance with VA policies and state licensure requirements. Evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other means. Assists supervisor and/or program director in the design, development, participation in committee assignments as deemed necessary. Maintains familiarity and responsibility for all behavioral health performance measures. Assist in development and maintenance of operational plans and strategic goals related to these measures. Provides supervision to social work trainees as assigned. Achieves minimal clinical workload expectations as established by the Service Line Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP email group @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: Annual leave at the rate of eight (4) hours per biweekly pay period; Sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per biweekly pay period; 11 paid Federal holidays per year. 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). Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory."]

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