The social worker will provide service to the Veteran population enrolled at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CA VHCS) Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program on the East Campus. Person hired will work within the SUDS program to assist in the delivery of evidence-based care for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders. Plays an integral member of the multidisciplinary team providing mental health services to patients in SUDS team. 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/. 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. Physical Requirements. Selectee must pass pre-employment physical exam or screening. 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). Grade Determinations: 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. AND 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: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019. Physical Requirements: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs., Moderate carrying; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Walking 1-4 hours; Standing 4 hours; Repeated bending 8 hours; Hearing (aid permitted). Operation of a motor vehicle to transport patients and materials is required. ["Duties include but limited to: Interviews and conducts bio?psychosocial assessments to establish veteran's treatment needs, presenting problems, and provide a clinical impression. Interprets and explains VA's treatment following the completion of a bio?psychosocial assessments whereby levels of services are determined. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. In the event of an alleged abuse case, medical or psychiatric emergency, the medical center policy will be followed. The incumbent ensures that the interdisciplinary team is kept informed of any concerns with the patient and/or caregiver. Assesses high risk factors, acuity and need for services. The Social Worker interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. The social worker reviews assessments completed by others, and obtains missing information from providers, patients, and medical records. Develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. Provides psychoeducation and clinical feedback regarding symptoms of the mental health condition to patients served. Engages patient and family education, engage client advocacy, engage mandatory reporting (abuse, neglect, or exploitation), engage suicide assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning. Responsible for the overall function of program development, recruitment of Veteran patients, case management, networking with community resources, and engage interdisciplinary collaboration including with the SUDS team and other applicable VA staff on site as well as various departments at CA VHCS and community facilities in the primary service area. Clinical knowledge in the profession, provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role model effective social work practice skills, teach or provide orientation to less experienced social workers, develop innovations in practice interventions, and provide clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification. Acts as an advocate when appropriate and feasible while encouraging the veteran and family to advocate on their own behalf thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. Engages resource referral and community services coordination. 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. Will attend all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, MHC staff meetings, other committees as appropriate, etc.) and perform other duties as required. Incumbent completes required clinical and administrative documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with governing regulations. Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as endorsed by supervisors. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30am, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 619-53431F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
