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The Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary (BHIP) Social Worker Program (Women Veterans Program) provides psychotherapy services to the Women Veteran population, including but not limited to, group and individual psychotherapy using evidence-based practices. The primary age of Veterans served by outpatient mental health is normally between the ages of 18-65 or older. 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 Master 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-9: (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. 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. 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, Part II, Appendix G39 ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Functions: Screening/Assessment: Engages in information gathering, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up. Fully utilizes the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. Makes professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, and family treatment services. Treatment Planning/Interventions: Utilizes a wide variety of individual, group, or family case management interventions. Treatment approaches include but are not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, problem solving therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Establishes goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the Veteran utilizing shared decision making and evidence based practices. Crisis Management/Suicide Prevention: Conduct crisis management interventions with suicidal Women Veterans or Veterans in crisis, including conducting suicide risk assessments, referral to the appropriate level of care for continued behavioral health treatment, means reduction, and the development of crisis management safety plans with Veteran input. Will assist with coordinating the enhanced care which are required for a ninety day period or longer for patients on the facility high risk for suicide flag. Provide consultation/education to Veteran's treatment team and facility administration to determine initiation and maintenance of the patient record high risk for suicide flag. Responds to referrals from the VCL. Case Management: Serves as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned Women Veterans and conducts the duties of this role. Effectively communicates with and utilizes community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. Addresses advance directives, guardianships, organ donations, and applications for home care and extended care services in accordance with the standards of their work area. Possesses knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Serves on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help Veterans function effectively. Complies with all electronic medical record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper Veteran check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on Veterans who are their responsibility. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all Women Veterans. Complies with peer review procedures. Participates as a member of VA SORCC committees as directed. Attends regular staff meetings, specific service line meetings, and MH Service Line meetings. Performs collateral duties as assigned. This position does not have collateral research obligations or supervisory responsibilities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Social Worker Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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