Social Worker
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States
Summary
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.
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
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
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/
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: 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 to paragraph 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:
(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 - educational - and other 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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
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 11
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Functions Screening/Assessment - The Social Worker will independently develop a through psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran and family members/significant others
The goal of the psychosocial 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
This includes assessing the Veteran's learning needs regarding mental health issues as well as other problems including substance abuse - psychiatric and medical disorders
The social worker must possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures - including acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable and measurable treatment goals with the Veteran - family members/significant others and other Social Work Clinical staff
The social worker must facilitate discharge planning through collaboration with Veteran and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner
Tele-Mental Health - The social worker may be required to conduct screenings - assessments - treatment planning - goal setting - supportive counseling - group therapy - and individual therapy for Veterans via the V-Tel system for patients at other CBOCs or in the home
The incumbent must learn to use the V-Tel equipment
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 family members/significant others 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
Advocacy - The Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it services the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
When appropriate and feasible - the Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on him/her own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
Crisis Intervention - The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to Mental Health inpatient programs
The 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 his/her respective mental health unit/program and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn more 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 401K 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 #: 58662F
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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.
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
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
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/
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: 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 to paragraph 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:
(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 - educational - and other 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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
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 11
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.
Duties
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Functions Screening/Assessment - The Social Worker will independently develop a through psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran and family members/significant others
The goal of the psychosocial 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
This includes assessing the Veteran's learning needs regarding mental health issues as well as other problems including substance abuse - psychiatric and medical disorders
The social worker must possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures - including acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable and measurable treatment goals with the Veteran - family members/significant others and other Social Work Clinical staff
The social worker must facilitate discharge planning through collaboration with Veteran and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner
Tele-Mental Health - The social worker may be required to conduct screenings - assessments - treatment planning - goal setting - supportive counseling - group therapy - and individual therapy for Veterans via the V-Tel system for patients at other CBOCs or in the home
The incumbent must learn to use the V-Tel equipment
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 family members/significant others 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
Advocacy - The Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it services the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
When appropriate and feasible - the Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on him/her own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
Crisis Intervention - The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to Mental Health inpatient programs
The 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 his/her respective mental health unit/program and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn more 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 401K 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 #: 58662F
#J-18808-Ljbffr