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 English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education and/or Experience Combination: You must possess 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 Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master’s degree in Social Work License or Certification: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level ***Exception - For assignments at the GS-09 level – VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified – pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations 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 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-09 Social Worker – Knowledge – Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the basic requirements – to qualify for the GS-09 – you must demonstrate the following 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 (including acute – chronic – and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) GS-11 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level GS-11 Experience or Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements – to qualify for the GS-11 – you must possess a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑09 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 Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse – neglect or exploitation Providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning Providing social work case management Acting as a patient/family member/caregiver advocate with community service providers/agencies Assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members In collaboration with the patient – family – and interdisciplinary treatment teams – identifying strengths – weaknesses – coping skills and psychosocial acuity Maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referrals -OR- 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 In addition to the experience above – you must demonstrate the following 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 (including 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 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: The work involves standing – stooping – lifting – sitting – pulling – assisting patients as needed Additionally – moving patient and supplies and pushing patient as needed The Social Worker is required to work at a computer work station to complete his/her documentation of incidents involving patients and the progress in the patient’s overall program. Duties As a GS-09 Social Worker – you will:Be closely supervised – as you are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification; Assess and treat complicated psychosocial problems of patients often at a time when they are experiencing crisis and include the provision of short‑term solution‑focused counseling; Complete thorough assessments to determine the presenting problem to determine in‑home factors impacting the problem and to determine obstacles to treatment and/or follow through with recommended treatments; Work with patient populations including homeless – Hospice Services – Community Living Center – Home Health services – financial resources – VA benefits – and transportation services as well as Advance Directives. As a GS-11 Social Worker – you will: Screening/Assessment – complete an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team – the veteran – family members and significant others Treatment Planning/Goal Setting – Responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals Referral to Service Providers – Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran’s needs Responsible for educating the veteran and family members/caregivers of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran’s preference Resource Usage/Development – Responsible for using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans Advocacy – Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver Crisis Intervention – Make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans Education/Health Promotion & Prevention – Provide education related to VA and community resources – entitlements – Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer veterans and family members/caregiver to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of Non‑Institutional & Institutional Services – Review the process notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran Supportive Counseling – Provide the veteran and their family members/caregiver with ongoing supportive counseling Administrative Responsibilities – Enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Varies Monday through Saturday; 07:30am to 4pm 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 Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) 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) Leave Credit: 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: GS-09 (09226‑F) – GS-11 (09227‑F) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EEO Statement We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr