Caseworker (Full Time)

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Mental Health Counselor. This vacancy will be filled by a Social Worker - Marriage and Family Therapist - Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor - or Staff psychologist. ***This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).***

Health Professional Trainee (HPT) 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.

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

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

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

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

In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors

• b) 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
• d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures

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

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

In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services

• c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan
• d) 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
• e) 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

We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications

It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package

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

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

VA Careers - Social Work: The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being

This position provides Mental Health services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Fargo VA Healthcare System

Services include provision of high quality clinical treatment - advocacy - and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies as needed by the client

Screening/Assessment Treatment Planning/Goal Setting Treatment/Therapy Referral to Service Providers Resource Usage/Development Advocacy Crisis Intervention Education/Health Promotion and Prevention Coordination of Non-Institutional and Institutional Services Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Administrative Responsibilities This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 a.m.-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

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

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: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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