Social Worker - Mental Health Clinic
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The Villages, FL, United States
Summary
The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information – refer to Required Documents below. The Social Worker is assigned to the Mental Health Clinic at The Villages VA Clinic within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS). The Social Worker's responsibilities include the assessment – diagnosis – and treatment planning of mental health and psychosocial problems – often at a time when the Veteran is experiencing crisis.
Qualifications
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: United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – Paragraph 3j.
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)
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
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.
VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent – master’s level within three years of their appointment as a social worker.
Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of the Social Worker Qualification Standard – GS‑0185 – September 10 – 2019 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title – series and grade held – including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
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‑09: Experience – Education – and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs) – ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs; ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
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 and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level; or, education and licensure – a doctoral degree in social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs): knowledge of community resources; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for individuals from diverse backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures; skill in implementing different treatment modalities; ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, students, and other staff.
References: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) Employee Resources Hub – VA Qualification Standards – Social Worker Qualification Standard – GS‑0185. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑09 to GS‑11.
Physical Requirements
It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned.
A pre‑placement physical examination is required for all full‑time, part‑time, and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The examination shall be completed prior to appointment to determine the physical and mental fitness.
The examination will be concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.
The work is primarily sedentary – but may require some walking, bending, stooping, standing, stretching, and carrying objects. The physical demands require use of fingers, moderate walking and standing.
Near vision correctable at 1.3 to 1.6 to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Hearing aid permitted. Clear speech. Emotional stability. Moderate duty.
Duties
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
At the GS‑09 level – under supervision for clinical licensure – the Social Worker conducts psychosocial/mental health assessments of Veterans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran’s family members, caregivers, and/or significant others. The goal of the assessment is to identify needs and formulate a plan to meet those needs. The Social Worker is knowledgeable of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including mental health patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age‑associated illness and conditions. The Social Worker must be knowledgeable of the problems of mental health and respect the diversification of the mental health Veteran population – being sensitive to human growth and development – age‑appropriate needs and concerns of the mental health Veteran. The Social Worker will provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population appropriate to level of licensure and under appropriate supervision. It is the responsibility of the Social Worker – working with the interdisciplinary treatment team – to share in the development of a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment.
At the GS‑11 level – the clinical Social Worker conducts psychosocial/mental health assessments of Veterans independently and/or in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and/or significant others. The goal of the assessment is to identify needs and formulate a patient‑centered treatment plan with the Veteran to meet those needs. The clinical Social Worker is knowledgeable of a range of treatment modalities and has the skills required to provide the appropriate level of care/treatment through psychosocial treatment and evidence‑based clinical/psychotherapeutic interventions. The clinical Social Worker must be knowledgeable of mental health conditions and how they acutely and chronically impact Veterans day‑to‑day lives. The clinical Social Worker must understand how to properly diagnose mental health conditions using the most current version of the DSM and this understanding must be accurately demonstrated through clinical documentation in the electronic health record. It is the responsibility of the Social Worker – working within the interdisciplinary treatment team – to share in the development of a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment.
Duties may include but are not limited to: treatment planning; referral to service providers; resource use/development; advocacy; crisis intervention; education/health promotion and prevention; coordination of non‑institutional and institutional services; supportive counseling; evidenced‑based psychotherapy; record keeping; and other duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): not authorized.
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): not authorized.
EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact EDRP coordinator: V8_EDRP_NFSG@va.gov.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (above minimum rate of the grade).
Paid time off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13‑26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child‑care subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional statement #: PD55606F and PD55626F – total rewards of an allied health professional.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information – refer to Required Documents below. The Social Worker is assigned to the Mental Health Clinic at The Villages VA Clinic within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS). The Social Worker's responsibilities include the assessment – diagnosis – and treatment planning of mental health and psychosocial problems – often at a time when the Veteran is experiencing crisis.
Qualifications
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: United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – Paragraph 3j.
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)
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
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.
VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent – master’s level within three years of their appointment as a social worker.
Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of the Social Worker Qualification Standard – GS‑0185 – September 10 – 2019 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title – series and grade held – including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
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‑09: Experience – Education – and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs) – ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs; ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
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 and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level; or, education and licensure – a doctoral degree in social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs): knowledge of community resources; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for individuals from diverse backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures; skill in implementing different treatment modalities; ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, students, and other staff.
References: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) Employee Resources Hub – VA Qualification Standards – Social Worker Qualification Standard – GS‑0185. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑09 to GS‑11.
Physical Requirements
It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned.
A pre‑placement physical examination is required for all full‑time, part‑time, and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The examination shall be completed prior to appointment to determine the physical and mental fitness.
The examination will be concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.
The work is primarily sedentary – but may require some walking, bending, stooping, standing, stretching, and carrying objects. The physical demands require use of fingers, moderate walking and standing.
Near vision correctable at 1.3 to 1.6 to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Hearing aid permitted. Clear speech. Emotional stability. Moderate duty.
Duties
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
At the GS‑09 level – under supervision for clinical licensure – the Social Worker conducts psychosocial/mental health assessments of Veterans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran’s family members, caregivers, and/or significant others. The goal of the assessment is to identify needs and formulate a plan to meet those needs. The Social Worker is knowledgeable of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including mental health patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age‑associated illness and conditions. The Social Worker must be knowledgeable of the problems of mental health and respect the diversification of the mental health Veteran population – being sensitive to human growth and development – age‑appropriate needs and concerns of the mental health Veteran. The Social Worker will provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population appropriate to level of licensure and under appropriate supervision. It is the responsibility of the Social Worker – working with the interdisciplinary treatment team – to share in the development of a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment.
At the GS‑11 level – the clinical Social Worker conducts psychosocial/mental health assessments of Veterans independently and/or in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and/or significant others. The goal of the assessment is to identify needs and formulate a patient‑centered treatment plan with the Veteran to meet those needs. The clinical Social Worker is knowledgeable of a range of treatment modalities and has the skills required to provide the appropriate level of care/treatment through psychosocial treatment and evidence‑based clinical/psychotherapeutic interventions. The clinical Social Worker must be knowledgeable of mental health conditions and how they acutely and chronically impact Veterans day‑to‑day lives. The clinical Social Worker must understand how to properly diagnose mental health conditions using the most current version of the DSM and this understanding must be accurately demonstrated through clinical documentation in the electronic health record. It is the responsibility of the Social Worker – working within the interdisciplinary treatment team – to share in the development of a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment.
Duties may include but are not limited to: treatment planning; referral to service providers; resource use/development; advocacy; crisis intervention; education/health promotion and prevention; coordination of non‑institutional and institutional services; supportive counseling; evidenced‑based psychotherapy; record keeping; and other duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): not authorized.
Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): not authorized.
EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact EDRP coordinator: V8_EDRP_NFSG@va.gov.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (above minimum rate of the grade).
Paid time off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13‑26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child‑care subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional statement #: PD55606F and PD55626F – total rewards of an allied health professional.
#J-18808-Ljbffr