Social Worker

The clinical and program activities assumed under this position are conducted as part of the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Program, working in a Mental Health Intensive Community Model (MHICM) Team under Mental Health Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The incumbent will practice independently and, with minimal supervision, provide Mental Health psychosocial rehabilitation interventions to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. 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: Must 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 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. 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 Social Worker, GS-11 (1) 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 (2) 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. (3) 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. Reference For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual physical/TB screening or testing as a condition of employment. Work involves both sedentary office work, such as in VA office, home office if Tele-Working, as well as work in the community or in Veterans' homes, providing case management, psychotherapy, skill building, and interacting with community agencies and, family members, and providers. Typical work involves active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, writing reports and clinical notes. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The position involves potentially long periods of continued driving and sitting, walking, and standing, assisting & accompanying patients for community appointments with a variety of medical conditions and/or disabilities. Work requires reaching, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Associated duties may require stopping, bending, lifting, climbing, reaching, turning and securing patients, oxygen, and wheelchairs, with appropriate securing devices. The incumbent may be exposed to isolation situations or home settings that may require donning of protective clothing due to factors such as bedbugs, infected patients, and contaminated materials. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to experiencing delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The Incumbent may also be exposed to patients who may be experiencing psychosis or suicidal ideation and who may require evaluation for inpatient treatment. The incumbent must be able to drive for a minimum of a four-hour period and stay mentally alert. If the driver realizes they are not mentally alert they must use good judgement in pulling over at the first safe area, road-checking vehicle with walk-around inspection, and continue driving as soon as possible. In addition to any other annual employee health requirements, the Incumbent must pass a VA Physical and adhere to all VA and DOT drug and alcohol testing and guidelines. #J-18808-Ljbffr