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This position works within the Mental Health PCC to assist in the delivery of evidence & measure based care for mental health patients identified with a variety of emotional and psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD, substance abuse disorders such as alcohol misuse, and psychosocial problems such as housing or occupational assistance. The role is a case manager, counselor and/or psychotherapist providing services to individuals and groups. 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. 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/. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Creditable Experience. The candidate must have knowledge of current professional social work practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Quality of Experience Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a master's degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level. Part-Time Experience Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Practicum in a VA Setting A VHA practicum experience may not be substituted for experience, as the practicum (field placement) is completed prior to graduation with a master's degree in social work. 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 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. 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: (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. Preferred Experience: Outpatient Psychiatry, Serious Mental Illness Population, Schizophrenia Clinic experience is preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11, which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy. ["Duties Include but are not limited to: Responsible for completing the following duties/responsibilities: Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments for participants. This requires knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology, diagnostic categories, and chart review. Reviews assessments completed by others, and obtains missing information from providers, patients, and medical records. The incumbent must have a thorough working knowledge Mental Health Suite treatment planning software. The incumbent must have a thorough working knowledge of VISTA/CPRS. Must keep abreast of the various changes made within these programs and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of information in these clinical records. Provides clinical and case-management services through face to face meetings, and via telephone and video technology. Conducts telephone calls and writes letters for the purpose of outreach for new patients, patients who cancel appts, patients who are 'no-shows' and other others. Provides psycho-education, support, counseling and/or psychotherapeutic intervention for emotional, psychiatric and psychosocial problems. This includes the development of an appropriate treatment plan in collaboration with other providers. Provides social work consultation to Primary Care providers, other Mental Health clinicians and team members in the development of individual treatment plans. This includes coordinating treatment and communicating with other services to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Communicates evaluations & recommendations to treatment team members. Develops community resources & coordinates these resources in the interest of the Veteran & his/her family. Specializes in staff development & patient education in the area of mental health treatment. The incumbent might participate in on-going research and program evaluations. The incumbent may, as appropriate, supervise the practice of social work students, or less experienced social worker. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager. Responsible for maintaining accurate record of relevant trainings and participate in continuing education in accordance with VA policies and state licensure. The Social Worker has the ability to evaluate his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. The Social Worker will complete all mandatory VA trainings in a timely manner. Fulfills ethical responsibilities to Veterans, colleagues and VA in accordance with NASW Code of Ethics, VHA Code of Ethics, and local Ethics policies, which includes but is not limited to compliance with all laws and regulations related to confidentiality and release of information, and protecting Veterans' personal identifying information. Documents in the patient's medical record in accordance with Social Work and medical center policies, and the requirements of The Joint Commission. This may include a Social Work screening and/or development of a biopsychosocial assessment and treatment plan within the time frame required by Social Work service standards. Progress notes are timely and reflect progress toward treatment goals. Outcomes are evaluated and documented. The incumbent will ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of patient care. Demonstrates knowledge and utilization of Evidence Based Treatment, Measurement Based Treatment and contemporary treatment concepts/modalities widely recognized as valid in Social Work, Psychology and Psychiatry professions. Accepts other assignments as delegated by the Outpatient Dept. of Psychiatry Clinical Coordinator. Care is provided in an interdisciplinary team setting, where the MH Social Worker collaborates with psychologists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and other mental health and physical health care providers. Incumbent will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing and treating patients in an interdisciplinary mental health clinic, providing concrete education and support services, influencing adherence to guidelines by providing \"on-time, on-target\" information to other care providers within the interdisciplinary team, and collaboratively making appropriate care decisions. MH Social Workers keep clinical records of services provide through the electronic patient record system. MH Social Workers are responsible for treatment planning and documentation thereof for patients in their care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, The individual works in the mental health clinic during regular business hours but may be required to work an irregular tour of duty, weekends, depending on the needs of the service and participate in social work coverage to the medical center off tour. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21N09-O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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