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This Senior Social Worker position provides Mental Health advanced practice care management services to the Veteran population enrolled in Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Mental Health Service in the Overton Brooks VAMC catchment area. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the BHIP, Mental Health Service (MHS) or other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate. 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. 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/.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). Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Experience/Education. The candidate 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates 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. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 September 10, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G39 Preferred Experience. Mental Health experience. Drivers License Required. Will be providing services to Veteran in the community using GOV. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Hearing (aid may be permitted) ["This Senior Social Worker position provides Mental Health advanced practice care management services to the Veteran population enrolled in Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Mental Health Service in the Overton Brooks VAMC catchment area. Duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment - The social worker will develop an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the Veteran's functional status. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. The incumbent must have an understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric Veteran, and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population. It is the responsibility of the social worker, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment. The initial assessment will be completed by the time of the Veteran's third visit for Mental Health Services. A reassessment is required annually or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's life plan. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan, and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family. The treatment plan will be completed within 30 days of the patient's program enrollment. The plan will be updated every six months or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs. Recovery-based Care - In accordance with the Uniform Mental Health Services Code, care provided should be delivered with the recovery of the Veteran in mind, to enable the Veteran with a mental health problem to get to remission if possible and if not then to live a meaningful life while striving to achieve their full potential. Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. The social worker will refer the Veteran to needed services. Advocacy - Social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention - Social worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Social worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the mental health clinic at the VA Medical Center. Education/Health promotion and prevention - Social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services -The Social worker will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred for mental health services. Social worker will educate the Veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on the preferred option. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00254F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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