Social Worker (STAR)

Summary

The Substance Treatment And Recovery Program (STAR) operates under the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) at the Fayetteville Healthcare System (FVACHS). The incumbent provides clinical mental health support to Veterans receiving services in the STAR Program. Incumbent provides substance use disorder (SUD) specific treatment to Veteran patients across the life-span. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the 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:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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
• NOTE: 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)
• 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 Basic Requirements for Licensure
• 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: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified backgrounds
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Full Performance Level Assignments: This is the full performance level
• Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work
• Incumbents are assigned to all program areas - including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine - surgery - mental health - neurology - rehabilitation medicine - and geriatrics
• Employees provide professional - independent social work services in the assigned area
• Duties 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 and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies - handbooks or directives
• and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
• Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - identifying the Veteran's strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and psychosocial acuity
• In collaboration with the Veteran - family/caregiver - and interdisciplinary treatment team - the social worker facilitates the delivery of health care services
• The social worker identifies family/caregiver stressors - conducts assessment and provides specific interventions
• The incumbent provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services - incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans - including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• The social worker links the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - in order to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• The social worker conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs - evaluate risk - and initiate safety plan as appropriate
• The social worker provides interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical - behavioral health - financial - legal - and psychosocial problems
• They provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities which may include individual - group - and/or family counseling or psychotherapy
• They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable - achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and psychosocial acuity
• Social workers serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community
• They provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans offering professional opinions based on experience - expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills
• The social worker establishes and maintains ongoing education programs for Veterans - community agencies - students - and staff - to facilitate understanding of social work interventions specific to the Veteran/Military population
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G39
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11
• Preferred Experience: LCSW & LLSW Experience working with SUD treatment population
• Additional certification or licensure for SUD treatment highly preferred
• Familiarity and proficiency with computers and related technologies preferred
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements
• No special physical qualifications are required to perform the work
• The work requires the ability to move around the office as well as the facility campus
• The work is performed primarily in offices - meeting rooms.

Duties

• Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently screen - assess - implement treatment modalities for a SUD specific treatment population
• Treatment interventions include but not limited to psychotherapy - psychosocial counseling - measurement-based care and will be evidence-based in nature
• Independently conducts diagnostic assessments including use of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) as the basis for diagnostic impressions and conclusions
• Develops person-centered - culturally sensitive treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran to address substance use and/or mental health needs
• The GS-11 STAR Social Worker independently monitors effectiveness of treatment interventions and ensures ongoing transitional/ discharge planning
• Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures
• This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology
• The Social Worker links the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• Conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs - evaluate risk - and initiate safety plan as appropriate
• Coordinates with facility Suicide Prevention Coordinator when warranted for a Veteran patient under their care
• Independently provides consultation to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing SUD and the impact on physical health or social drivers of health (SDOH)
• Ability to evaluate one's own practice through professional peer review - case conferences - and other organizational means
• Incumbent can communicate effectively- both orally and in writing- with people from varied backgrounds
• Incumbent completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at program - service line - and medical center levels
• Facilitates referrals based upon Veteran needs and eligibility
• Incumbent can meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions
• Communicates and treats customers (Veterans - their representative - visitors - and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately
• Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing
• data management and other computer systems - especially those programs in use by VHA
• The Social Worker at the GS-11 full performance level complies with national and local performance mandates - including timely health care screening and completion of applicable clinical reminders for all patients
• Incumbent promotes effective transitional discharge planning to and from an outpatient level of care
• Coordinates with internal VA stakeholders to community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs - and community agency programs
• They link the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• Duties 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 and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies - handbooks or directives
• and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
• GS-11 Social Workers serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility/VISN level or in the community
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact View email address on careers.biausa.org - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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
• 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) Work Schedule: Full Time
• Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.