Summary The social worker in this position provides social work services to the Veteran population enrolled in the Inpatient/Residential Mental Health Section in the MHS at the SAVAHCS. Services include provision of case management, clinical treatment (under supervision), advocacy, and coordination with other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the Veteran. Services are provided in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: 1) The incumbent has skill in establishing and maintaining effective therapeutic relationships with the Veteran and their families. The incumbent is able to work with the Veteran and their families who may be experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, substance use, behavioral, and/or psychosocial problems. 2) The incumbent completes thorough (or abbreviated when appropriate) biopsychosocial assessments to determine the substance use and mental health needs, and psychosocial functioning and associated needs of the Veteran and/or their family. 3) The incumbent, under the supervision a licensed social worker, conducts assessments of high risk patients to identify risk factors, protective factors, and develops a safety plan through the use of the Suicide Risk Assessment (SRA) and other appropriate tools. 4) The incumbent, under the supervision of a licensed social worker, is able to provide substance use and mental health focused psychosocial interventions outlined in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines. 5) The incumbent actively participates as an interdisciplinary treatment team member through collaboration with the Veteran and family to develop and implement social work treatment goals and interventions. 6) The incumbent is able to develop a timely and viable transition/discharge plan in concert with the Veteran, their family, and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The incumbent educates the Veteran and family regarding community resources and makes referrals to these resources for community reintegration as appropriate. Referrals may include but are not limited to medical, substance abuse, mental health, potential crisis support, housing, and financial resources. 7) The incumbent is able to facilitate community placements through partnership with the Veteran and their family as well as the interdisciplinary treatment team in a timely manner. Community placement referrals may involve but are not limited to contract nursing homes, community living centers, residential care homes, and inpatient and outpatient hospice services. 8) The incumbent possesses knowledge and the ability to provide psycho-educational treatment modalities, educational classes, and/or treatment including supportive groups for the Veteran and his or her family. 9) The incumbent demonstrates basic knowledge of evidence-based therapies and experience in providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy. 10) The incumbent provides consultation and education to the Veteran and their family regarding advanced directives, community resources, eligibility for benefits and specialty programs. Consultation and education includes the process of providing information, referrals, accessing and/or coordinating the VA and/or non-VA community-based services. 11) The incumbent provides consultation to the treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of the Veteran and/or family and how these needs impact the Veteran's health care planning and compliance with treatment. 12) The incumbent maintains knowledge of the Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and processes for making appropriate referrals to the community and other governmental programs or agencies. 13) The incumbent possesses skills and knowledge to provide case management services to the Veteran and his or her family throughout the continuum of care. 14) The incumbent possesses and demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from diverse backgrounds. **Preferred Experience: Inpatient acute psychiatry experience would be an asset, but primarily the successful applicant will be comfortable working with a multidisciplinary team on a fast-paced acute unit treating a variety of veterans with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Should demonstrate knowledge and skill in current recovery-oriented techniques and apply these techniques to individuals, groups, and families and be: Able to collaborate with persons with psychiatric disabilities as a partner in recovery. Advocate for services that are responsive to needs to persons with psychiatric disabilities. Provide support of community reentry and improved meaningful social roles that assist individuals in achieving satisfying, productive, and improved quality of living. Position would be appropriate for someone who is able to triage tasks and be flexible as situations often change rapidly.** Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Education. 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation 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 http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. Social Worker, GS-11 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. 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, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. 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: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities, it may be necessary to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representative of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. Must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.