Social Worker

Summary Serves as a SUD Social Worker in Outpatient Mental Health at Tomah VA. Provides same-day access, early identification, harm-reduction counseling, and stepped-care services. Coordinates with MHTCs for smooth care transitions, supports recovery planning, conducts comprehensive SUD assessments, and delivers evidence-based interventions aligned with VA/DoD guidelines. Qualifications Applicants pending 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. 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 3 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 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 – chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification – including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. Grade Determinations: Social Worker – GS-9 Experience – Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities. In addition to the experience above – the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.

• b) 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.
• c) 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.

• d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
• e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses – disabilities – and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.

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.

Preferred Experience: Working on integrated multi-disciplinary teams (e.g., PCMHI, BHIP, etc.) and prior experience delivering services related to Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services. 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. VA Careers – Social Work: Major Duties: Social Worker GS-9 – GS-9 is the entry level grade for the GS-185 Social Work series and is used for Social Workers with less than one year of post-MSW experience and for Social Workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social Workers at the GS-185-9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification. Social Worker GS-11: Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Or – in addition to meeting basic requirements – a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1-year professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday. 8:00am – 4:30pm. 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. Telework: Ad-hoc Telework – VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01847F.

01848F.

Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm. Telework This position may be authorized for telework; telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Telework is ad‑hoc and supported as part of VA services. Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs