Senior Social Worker (BHIP) - EDRP Approved

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. English Language Proficiency – You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master’s degree in Social Work. License or Certification: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. 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: Senior Social Worker – GS‑0185‑12 – Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which includes 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 must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Advanced practice level social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which includes 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. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at Experience Requirement: You must possess 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. Examples of specialized experience include – but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse – neglect – exploitation and/or intimate partner violence. Use of clinical social work skills. Maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies – handbooks or directives. Acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver. Independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members – identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Applicable experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. In addition to the experience above – you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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. Preferred experience: VA or DOD experience; work experience in community settings; experience incorporating measurement-based care into treatment; experience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals – groups – couples – and families; experience in case management in complex settings; experience in outpatient general mental health clinics. Reference: The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS‑12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Duties The BHIP Social Worker performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. The BHIP Social Worker incorporates complex multiple causations in different diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients – including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The BHIP Social Worker provides individual – group – and family psychotherapy and advanced level case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with poly‑trauma injuries – spinal cord injuries – traumatic brain injuries – visual impairment – post‑traumatic stress disorder – addictions – and other serious disorders. Conducts case management for Veterans. Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in specialty areas – utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Offers consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in specialty areas – rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Teaches and mentors staff and students in the special area of practice and provides supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Uses the social work process (psychosocial assessment – diagnosis – and treatment) to conduct an intake health status assessment or an update assessment for Veterans. Utilizes clinical reminders to evaluate the need for health care – behavioral and mental health services. Makes appropriate referrals for health care – individual – group – marital – or family treatment services. Completes the Suicide Risk Assessment shared template in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) on all patients with suicidal ideation and on any patient whose record is flagged "High Risk for Suicide." Additionally conducts a psychosocial evaluation on all new Veterans assigned to the clinic within performance measure standards. Coordinates specialty mental health care within the clinic (substance abuse – post‑traumatic stress disorder). Work Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full‑time – part‑time[ –] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90‑day break in service. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full‑time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive – it would be difficult to fill the position with a high‑quality candidate. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual – based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be offered. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs