Social Worker (BHIP)

Summary NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The Phoenix VA Medical Center is recruiting a Social Worker for the Mental Health's Behavioral Health Integration (BHIP) team at the 32nd Street CBOC. The incumbent must be able to independently implement treatment modalities, assess patient functioning and risk, perform mental status exams (MSE), and identify psychiatric symptoms related to medical conditions. 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy Language: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English 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 to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master's 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 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) Grandfathering Provision: A Social Worker employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (9/10/2019) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0185-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirement Grade Determinations: GS-09 Social Worker – in addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 Veterans 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 Social Worker – Experience and Education: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification at the independent practice level; examples of specialized experience include identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, providing education on advance directives, providing social work case management; and demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities as listed in the GS-09 section, and additional community resource and referral coordination skills. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the above experience, you must demonstrate the ability to conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions across diverse populations, implement diverse treatment modalities, provide consultation services to new social workers and other staff, and coordinate community resources. 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: Work is primarily sedentary; involves walking, bending and carrying items such as books, papers and files, and working at a computer. The work environment is an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office; typical office and clinic safety precautions apply. Duties Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their families. Independently work with Veterans and family members experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral and psychosocial problems. Complete thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the mental health diagnosis, psychosocial functioning and needs. Utilize assessments in developing and implementing a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve maximum independence. Demonstrate knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. Conduct psychosocial assessments of high-risk patients to identify suicidality through the Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) or other tools. Implement psychotherapeutic treatment modalities, provide educational classes and/or treatment and supportive groups. Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team to collaborate on treatment goals and interventions. Facilitate community placement actions through collaboration with Veterans, their families and other team members. Benefits Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be determined for unique qualifications. 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). Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption or foster care placement. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – eligible employees may receive up to 25% coverage of childcare costs up to a monthly maximum of $416.66, if total family income is below $144,000. Traditional federal pension after 5 years vesting; federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. VA insurance: health, vision, dental, term life, long-term care and other federal programs available. #J-18808-Ljbffr