Career Center

The Social Work position is in Social Work services at the Bedford Healthcare Systems in the Bedford Massachusetts location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. The Social Worker provides comprehensive clinical support to Veterans and their families in the Neurocognitive Outpatient Clinic. Clinical services will be provided in both the clinic and in the community via in-person, virtual and telehealth modalities. 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: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: 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/. 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-09 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer toparagraph 3c.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, 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. References: See VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items asbooks, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. ["The Neurocognitive Clinic Social Worker functions as an independently licensed Social Worker assuring that directions, goals and policies are maintained and implemented while also providing leadership, guidance and coordination following the mission/vision of the Medical Center. Duties include but are not limited to: Provides Social Work services to all Veterans and family members enrolled in the Neurocognitive Clinic; Interviews Veterans and family members / significant others to determine Veteran's clinical needs; Develops and implements comprehensive treatment plans. Interprets and explains VA services (treatment, programs, benefits) to Veterans and al involved stakeholders; Reviews all data, subjective and objective and makes sound clinical assessments, identifying strengths and needs in the context of the family / support system; Uses their advanced clinical training and experience to interpret data and identify viable treatment options; Assesses risk factors, acuity and need for services; Analyzes the data and makes complex clinical assessments in developing viable treatment options; Employs professional skills, objectivity and insight; Understands disparate values and reaches clients from different social backgrounds and ethnic groups in a compassionate manner; Supports Veterans and their families with significant deficits in coping skills via comprehensive support; Develops treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and is charged with a specialized Social Work practice as a key component f treatment; Develops and maintains a professional standard of treatment and initiating methods to promote efficient practice; Uses advanced knowledge to assess the Veteran's likelihood to accept various types of assistance; Interprets Veteran's illness trajectory for the family and facilitates Veteran and family adjustment to inhome care and possible long-term care in an individualized, compassion and effective manner; Provides day to day coordination of social work services, including case management, individual, family and group therapy, home visits, assistance with placements and referrals to community resources; Utilizes professional expertise and judgment in assessing complex clinical situations and carrying out treatment plans; Resolves and/or minimizes emotional, personal, financial or legal problems that may interfere with the patient or family's ability to adjust to long term care; Maintains up-to-date knowledge of basic and applied research in dementia care, to be able to assist families in understanding such activities and promote participation; Participates in local and national task forces and conferences related to care of dementia patients, including work with other VA facilities; Performs multiple duties in support of Dementia Research and Studies through GRECC; Applies extensive knowledge and skills in care management, clinical interventions, team building, and VA policy to formulation, interpretation and development of new models of care; and Other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm. Telework: (Ad hoc) telework - An employee who is scheduled to work at an alternative worksite with supervisory approval on an occasional, non-routine basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 518-F03174 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Incomplete applications will not be considered."]

Return to Search Results