Social Worker

Education Debt Reduction Program Eligibility 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 application. 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 fully accredited school of social work by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree may not substitute for the master's degree. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned 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 VHA website. Exception: VHA may waive the licensing requirement for qualified candidates pending completion of state prerequisites at the GS-9 grade level. For GS-9 appointments, unlicensed candidates must become licensed within three years of appointment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation, applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria. Grade Determinations Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Utilize a Veteran-centr approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Assess psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and families; formulate and implement treatment plans. Implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups to achieve goals, using supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques. Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, medications, and medical terminology. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure: Requires a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience at the GS-9 level in healthcare or related settings, plus licensure or certification at the independent practice level. Education: Alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work can substitute for the one year of professional experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources and ability to refer to agencies and coordinate services. Skill in administering psychosocial assessments and interventions to diverse individuals. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures for formulating treatment plans. Skill in implementing varied treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups dealing with psychiatric, medical, and social issues. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, graduate students, and staff on psychosocial needs and their impact on healthcare and treatment compliance. 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. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair