Social Worker

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their 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. 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 : Be a citizen of the United States. Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VHA 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). A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master’s degree. Verification can be made by visiting Licensure : Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑185 series 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 on the OHRM website. 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 will provide written requirements for licensure or certification, including the deadline and consequences for non‑compliance. English Language Proficiency : Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Failure to Obtain License or Certification : Employees must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification from the date of appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS‑185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Licensure or Certification : Once licensed or certified, employees must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS‑185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. See education for additional information. 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‑9 Experience, Education, and Licensure : None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS‑9) Ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the veteran’s problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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. 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. Alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required one year of professional social work experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS‑11) Knowledge of community resources, ability 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, educational, and other backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (e.g., 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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 and Work Environment: No special physical qualifications are required to perform the work. The work requires the ability to move around the office and facility. The work is performed in offices and meeting rooms. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. #J-18808-Ljbffr