Social Work Psychotherapist (BHIP)

Summary This position is located within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) – VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) – Fredericksburg Health Care Center (HVAMC) – under the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service Line. The Social Work Psychotherapist aligns with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/Outpatient Mental Health Services and provides psychotherapy services, intakes, and crisis intervention in a team context. Qualifications 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. Education : 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 in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work cannot substitute for the master's degree. Licensure : Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level. GS‑11 Experience and Licensure : Requires a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in health care or other social work settings, and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Alternatively, a doctoral degree may substitute for the required year of experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) : Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral processes; conduct independent psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions; understand medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures; implement various treatment modalities; provide consultation to new social workers, students, and staff; and manage cases throughout the continuum of care. Full Performance Level : Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work and provide professional independent services in all program areas, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation, and geriatrics. Duties Complete psychosocial assessments and diagnostic interviews to assess mental health conditions. Use clinical training to interpret data and identify treatment options. Implement treatment modalities, providing skill‑based psychotherapies in individual and group settings within the BHIP team. Serve veterans with serious, frequent, and severe crises, limited social support, poor self‑monitoring, and significant coping deficits. Apply knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. Actively contribute to BHIP team program development, consultation, and treatment planning. Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and community clinics. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Serve as a liaison and consultant on community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, and advanced directives. Enter all veteran/family contacts in electronic records using appropriate formats and templates. Provide case management services throughout the continuum of care. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs