Social Worker

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 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: 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 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 appointments at the GS-9 grade level – VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent – master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment – the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates Social Worker – GS-9 Experience – Education – and Licensure None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans – their family members – caregivers – and survivors 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 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 Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients – staff – and representatives of community agencies Fundamental knowledge 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 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 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 – educational – and other 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties VA Careers – Social Work: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is being posted as a Staff Psychologist – Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor and Social Worker – a selection may be made out of these three disciplines. Duties include but are not limited to the following: The Clinical Social Worker provides Mental Health services to the Veteran population at the assigned CBOC Services include provision of high-quality case management – individual and group therapy – clinical treatment – crisis intervention – advocacy – coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies – as needed by the client The incumbent provides mental health services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System Services include provision of high-quality case management – individual and group therapy – clinical treatment – crisis intervention – advocacy – coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies – as needed by the client Screening/Assessment – The incumbent will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the veteran and family members/significant others The goal of the psychosocial assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths – limitations – and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status The Incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients – being sensitive to human growth and development – age-appropriate needs and concerns of the Veteran – and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population Treatment Planning/Goal Setting – The incumbent is responsible for the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran – family members/significant others and other Outpatient Mental Health clinical staff as needed Referral to service providers – Throughout the course of treatment – the incumbent is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources Resource Usage/Development – The Incumbent will refer Veterans and/or family members to resources in the community or within the VAHCS as needed/required Advocacy – The Incumbent will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver Crisis Intervention – The incumbent is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs Counseling – The incumbent will provide the Veterans and their family members/significant other with ongoing counseling/therapy Therapy – The incumbent provides individual and group evidence-based therapies (i.e. CPT – PE – etc.) to veterans Maintains records and statistics required by the assignment – as well as any other information which may be needed for special studies and reports Performs other duties as assigned and can – at times – assist other incumbents or perform special assignments to meet the needs of the healthcare system The incumbent must possess a current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services for additional Physical Requirements Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive 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) 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 Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position #J-18808-Ljbffr yourcommission