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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. 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. Learn more 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: Must be proficient in written or spoken English. 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/. Exception: 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. Preferred Experience: Knowledge in working with Service Members and Veterans transitioning post 9/11 seeking health care from the facility. Knowledge and experience conducting case management and discharge planning with those who experience co-occurring diagnosis. Ability to adapt to high pace and stressful atmosphere. Experience in conducting biopsychosocial assessments, providing real time interventions, assisting in providing resources and referrals. Certification in Case Management is preferred, not required. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level. GS-09: None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):(a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.(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.(c) 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.(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. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. 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, OR, 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.(b) 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.(c) 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.(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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. 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: Moderate lifting/carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking/Standing (up to 4 hours); Climbing, legs only (.5 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic/shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability ["The primary responsibility of the position is to coordinate care and services for ill and injured transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans and others in need of case management services. Contacting active duty Servicemembers and Veterans prior to transfer for inpatient admission and initial outpatient appointments to answer any questions about upcoming appointments. Assisting to resolve any issues at the local level to include ensuring appointments are scheduled, authorizations are obtained, family resources are secured, and any psychosocial issues are addressed (temporary lodging, home modifications, community resources, in-home services, etc.).Completing and documenting a comprehensive case management assessment, updating the assessment as necessary based on clinical judgment, and developing a case management plan of care. Documentation will:\na) Include information about significant interactions with the patients (whether by telephone or in person).\nb) Occur in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) utilizing appropriate stop codes.\nc) Occur in the Care Management Tracking and Reporting Application (CMTRA) and/or the Interagency Comprehensive Plan (ICP) in the Federal Case Management Tool (FCMT), an electronic database that provides the Post-9/11 M2VA Case Management team with a means to identify and track ill or injured Servicemembers and Veterans receiving case management services. Continually assessing the need for a change in case management services and adjusting the level of intervention as appropriate based on the medical and psychosocial needs of the Veteran and family. Supporting and educating the patient and family, referring Veterans to VA program and services, referring Veterans to home and community based services, visiting Veterans in their homes if appropriate, and crisis intervention. Working closely with the Post-9/11 M2VA Case Management Program Manager to ensure all needs are met. Educating the patient and family to understand who the primary POC/Lead Coordinator is for questions and concerns and providing contact information. Coordinating any necessary care and services at the VA medical facility that the active duty Servicemember will use while on convalescent leave. The Post-9/11 M2VA Social Work Case Manager at that VA medical facility will make contact with the Servicemember as an introduction. If the convalescent leave is planned for 30 days or less and the Servicemember does not plan to use local VA services during that time, the Post-9/11 M2VA Social Work case manager will continue to be available to address issues or concerns. If the convalescent leave needs to be extended, the Post-9/11 M2VA Social Work case manager will contact the DoD case manager and VA Liaison to obtain necessary authorizations for continued care. Supporting Veterans and their families during transition. Transitions include, but are not limited to:\na) Transfer from the MTF to a VA medical facility, skilled nursing facility admission, and transfer of care to a new VA medical facility.\nb) Change in patient's psychosocial status (e.g. caregiver stress, divorce, decline in support system, death of a family member, loss of job, new employment, substance abuse, etc.).\nc) Patient and family relocation.\nd) Significant change in medical status and functional decline. Serving as the Lead Coordinator when deemed appropriate by the CMT. If functioning as the LC, responsibilities include:\na) Serving as the primary POC for Servicemembers and Veterans and their families or caregivers for coordination of care, benefits, and services related to the ICP. However, other members of the CMT may communicate with the Servicemember or Veteran. The LC will identify potential conflicts in the ICP and facilitate resolution within the CMT.\nb) Communicating with the Servicemember or Veteran and family or caregiver on an ongoing basis (in person, when possible), and will provide them with contact information for the LC and other members of the CMT. The contact information will be updated as changes occur.\nc) Updating the CMT during the regularly scheduled CMT meeting and ensuring the ICP is updated on a periodic basis to include at least the following milestones: at the time of transfer from one facility to another or to another geographic area; at the time of discharge from inpatient to outpatient status; upon transfer to an outside or private entity, or upon significant change in the Servicemember's or Veteran's condition. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800 - 1630\nTelework: Telework optional for highly qualified applicant after 90 days. Telework may be authorized at 25%.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]