Social Worker-Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary The Clinical Social Worker Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) is assigned to the St. Cloud Veteran Affairs Health Care System Primary and Specialty Medicine Integrated Clinical Community (PSM ICC). The incumbent plays a critical role in the Veterans Health Administration health care program - contributing to service delivery for Veterans and their families. 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: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005. Education Requirement: Must hold a master’s degree in social work from a school 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 is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master’s degree. Verification of the degree can be made by checking CSWE accreditation for master’s of social work. Licensure Requirement: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s level. Current state requirements may be found at the VA website for licensure information. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for qualified individuals pending completion of state prerequisites, applicable only at the GS‑9 level. For GS‑11 and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At appointment, the supervisor will provide written licensure requirements and deadlines for unlicensed/unencompassed workers. Partially qualified may be covered by the Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees meeting criteria. Grade Determinations: GS‑9 (Entry Level) requires no experience beyond the basic requirements. GS‑9 appointments: Unlicensed/social workers must become licensed within three years of appointment. Most states require two years of post‑MSW experience to take the licensure exam; VHA gives an extra year to pass the exam. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Use a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. Assess psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and family members, and formulate/implement treatment plans. Implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups to achieve goals. Apply supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques as required. Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies. Have fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications, side effects, and medical terminology. Identify acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries. Know medical terminology and common medication effects and side effects. GS‑11 (Full Performance Level) requires a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to GS‑9 in healthcare or other social work settings and licensure or certification at the independent practice level. OR Education: A doctoral degree in social work may replace the one‑year experience requirement. GS‑11 KSAs: Knowledge of community resources and referral coordination. Independent psychosocial assessment and treatment interventions for diverse populations. Medical and mental health knowledge as noted above for treatment planning. Independent implementation of various treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups. Provide consultation services to new social workers, graduate students, and staff on psychosocial needs and compliance with treatment. References for qualification standards are available online. The role may be selected for GS‑9 to GS‑11. Physical Requirements: Pre‑employment examination or evaluation will be required. Questions about physical demands may be addressed during evaluation. Duties VA Careers – Social Work: Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: A Conduct behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments. Make sound professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and care planning. Coordinate with internal and external professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care and necessary treatment for veterans. Maintain knowledge of VA and veterans’ benefits and services, community resources, and referral processes. Provide advocacy to overcome barriers to access care and services when it is in the best interests of the veteran. Engage in goals of care discussions, education, and assistance with Advance Directives, organ/tissue/eye donation releases, and guardianship documentation. Assess signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Practice in accordance with VA and discipline‑specific ethical requirements within licensure limits. Complete on‑call duties as assigned and, if needed, transport veterans. Possess effective oral and written communication skills with diverse populations. Use computer systems and the internet to communicate with veterans choosing virtual modalities. Serve on supervisor‑approved committees, work groups, and task forces at the local, VISN, or national level. Collaborate in performance improvement processes and comply with VA performance measures. Attend and participate in required administrative and clinical meetings. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical records per professional and VA guidelines. Maintain data and statistical compilations to comply with accreditation bodies such as CARF, Joint Commission, and VA policies. Participate in Social Work Professional Practice Evaluation processes. Perform other duties as assigned, including assisting incumbents or special assignments. May be assigned to other areas as necessary by the supervisor or ICC Director, in consultation with the Social Work Executive. Independently treat veterans and families with complex medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. Provide functional acuity assessment and appropriate psychosocial interventions, supportive therapy, and case management. Use assessment to facilitate maximum use of treatment for the highest level of independence possible. Coordinate community placements with veterans, families, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure efficient placement. Community placements may include group and family care homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health programs, contract nursing homes, community living centers, residential care homes, and inpatient/outpatient hospice services. Conduct virtual visits in modalities preferred by patients and utilize Consult Toolbox functions. Compensation and Benefits Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8 am‑4:30 pm. Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal programs available in retirement). Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr