Senior Social Worker

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 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 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 English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment – the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Senior Social Worker – GS-12 Experience/Education The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which – one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty Licensure/Certification Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination – unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California – which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities In addition to the experience above – candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations This includes individual – group – and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area – utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area – as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession – and to write policies – procedures – and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties VA Careers – Social Work: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Social Worker is assigned to the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VA PIHCS) Mental Health Service – as program needs demand – is responsible for coverage of any of the inpatient – residential – or outpatient programs of the Mental Health Services This position is specifically assigned to the Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Program – and the social worker will have primary responsibilities with that program Duties include but are not limited to: Delivers evidence-based individual psychotherapy – group psychotherapy – crisis intervention – and care coordination over multiple modalities (WC – face-to-face – and telephone) – as appropriate Assesses – diagnoses within scope – and treats Veterans experiencing substance use disorders Services are provided in alignment with VA/DOD clinical practice guidelines – VAPIHCS facility policy – and recovery-oriented – Veteran-centered care principles Engages in comprehensive care coordination across the broad spectrum of VA and community-based programs Coordinates treatment planning and facilitate continuity of care with external community partners – including Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) – community hospitals – and residential substance treatment programs both within and outside of the VA system – as well as other relevant community agencies Interviews Veterans – family members – and significant others to assess psychosocial and individualized needs – determine appropriate levels of care – develop treatment plans – and coordinate discharge planning and follow-up services Maintains appropriate communications with other members of the STAR team – relevant mental health treatment service providers – and third party care partners to ensure seamless transitions in care Appropriately documents all patient contacts – assessment findings – treatment goals – progress notes – outcomes – and care coordination efforts in the Veteran's electronic health record within the required timelines Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time 7:30am – 4:00pm 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 View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more 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) 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: Ad-Hoc – May be authorized at supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 10666-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs