Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

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 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 English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j – this part Education Requirement: 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 Requirement: 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 the GS-11 grade level and above – the candidate must be licensed or certified At the time of appointment – the supervisor – chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification – including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline 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 Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam – and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam In states such as California – Washington – and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years – social workers must become licensed at the independent – master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record 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: GS-9 (Entry Level): Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements 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 Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam – and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities: In addition to the experience above – the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAs 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 GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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 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 – the applicant's resume 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 – 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 All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit 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 The incumbent will practice in outpatient mental health as part of Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team The incumbent will provide direct patient care by offering psychotherapy to veterans They will to determine needs of veterans and family members and actively participate in the treatment planning process Will work with a team other disciplines as part of the treatment process Major duties include – but are not limited to the following: The incumbent will conduct psychosocial assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members The incumbent is an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines The incumbent will coordinate and refer care with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that the treatment plan is executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate The incumbent will provide individual – family and group therapy as appropriate The incumbent will provide consultation/education to veterans and families on community resources – advance directives and VA benefits The incumbent will act as liaison between VA and community resources – to include marketing and public relation duties as needed The incumbent will – as appropriate – supervise the practice of social work students – or a less experienced social worker The incumbent will maintain data and statistical compilations to comply with TJC – VA and medical center policy and procedures The incumbent will document interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS and ensure appropriate hand-off when transferring of patient care Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic – cultural – ethnic – educational – and other diversified backgrounds This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) – and the differential influences of the environment – society – and culture Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric – medical – and social problems utilizing individual – group – and family therapy skills Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members – and to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying the patient's problems – strengths – weaknesses – coping skills and assistance needed Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and 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 with clients – staff – and representatives of community agencies Ability to communicate effectively – both orally and in writing – with people from varied backgrounds Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents – data management – and tracking Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA Knowledge of community resources – how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services – and ability to coordinate services Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying the patient's problems – strengths – weaknesses – coping skills and assistance needed – in collaboration with the patient – family and interdisciplinary treatment team Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm 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 Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – 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 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: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs