Details
Posted: 03-Jun-22
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Salary: Open
Categories:
Mental Health/Social Services
Internal Number: 657708600
The Specialty Medicine Social Worker provides social work services to Veterans receiving health care via the ALS, Oncology/Hematology, Radiation/Oncology, Renal, Palliative Care or Complex Transitions of Care (CTOC) programs at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC. 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. Indiana requires Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Specialized Experience: 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 nonVA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. or Additional 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: (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. 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). Preferred Experience: Medical Social Work experience References: VA Handbook 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone, retrieving files, writing reports, data entry and maintenance of computer databases, etc. Work is typically performed sitting at a desk and using a computer. This position may require occasional travel. The position also requires periods of walking, standing, sitting and bending. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties of the Part Time Social Worker are to include, but not limited to:\nScreening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary medical staff, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker screens and assesses the Veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to facilitate his or her access to appropriate VA and community resources. Through collaborative relationships with the Veteran, his or her family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate treatment goals and time frames for achieving those goals. Assessment information may include, but is not limited to:\n- Marital/family/social status\n- Employment/financial status\n- Use of entitlement programs\n- Legal problems/issues\n- Impact of medical problems on psychosocial functioning Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker determines realistic goals with the Veteran, including such factors as a) the appropriate type of intervention and/or level of care, b) the setting conducive to providing such intervention or care, c) the need for caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care, d) transportation options/barriers and e) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the achievement of goals possible. Referral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a Veteran's recovery, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, community-based extended care). The Specialty Medicine Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in re-assessing the Veteran's needs during the eligibility determination process, coordinating access to information needed for the referral. Additionally, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker will educate the Veteran and/or caregiver about the available services and their shared responsibility in accessing such services. The Veteran's preferences or that of his or her surrogate decision maker will be considered throughout the referral and care coordination process Resource Usage/Development - As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker will monitor patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's psychosocial functioning. The Specialty Medicine Social Worker will communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., the Chief of Social Work, Social Work Program Coordinator for the Medical Continuum of Care, other VA programs, and community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources. Advocacy - The Specialty Medicine Social Worker will advocate for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the Veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran. When appropriate and feasible, the Specialty Medicine Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran and his or her family/caregiver to advocate on his/her own behalf, fostering independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention - The Specialty Medicine Social Worker will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday, Day shift, No weekends/holidays\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: #91548-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]