Job Seekers

The Dayton VA Medical Center is recruiting for a well-qualified Social Worker (Case Manager). The Social Worker will function in the Social Work Service. The primary responsibility of the position is to ensure the transition of care of Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers, from the DoD Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) and Warrior Transition Units (WTU) to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is safe and continuous. 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. Licensure: must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Language: 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): Grandfathering Provision. (1) All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (2) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (5) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. Grade Determinations: GS-09 (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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. (3) [Entry Level] Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification. Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. GS-11 (1) 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR (2) 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. (4) Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Employees are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is 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 is primarily sedentary, some walking and traveling to other buildings/areas on the installation is required. Walking to/from patient's rooms, participation in Outreach events. ["The Post 9/11 Military to VA (M2VA) Program's Social Work Case Manager provides comprehensive social work service to Post 9/11 transitioning and established Service members and Veterans (SM/Vs) and their families across the continuum of care and during the various phases of readjustment to civilian life. The employee independently provides an array of social work interventions including high-risk screening, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, resource education and referral, and case management. These services are provided in healthcare settings, both inpatient and ambulatory. In addition to the clinical and case management responsibilities, the employee assists with the public affairs component of the Post 9/11 M2VA Program's national mission through outreach. The Social Worker (Case Manager) duties may include, but are not limited to: supporting the Veteran, the Veteran's family, and the Veteran's Caregiver's and coordinating health needs across agencies, sites and unique episodes of care in order to optimize service delivery, improve quality of care, and enhance both patient experiences and outcomes. performing clinical interventions and case management services, in collaboration with the other members of the Post 9/11 M2VA Program, and with guidance from the Interdisciplinary Care Management Review Team (IDCMRT) in order to meet the biological, psychological, and environmental needs of SM/Vs through a well-developed Inter-Agency Comprehensive Plan (ICP) Checklist. may serve as the Lead Coordinator for assigned patient. high level of skill and expertise in the work with patients and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems. Possesseing knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses (included but not limited to amputation, burns, vision loss, TBI, PTSD, and the Adjustment/Anxiety/Mood disorders) as well as insight into the needs of and services required for individuals with these conditions and the skills to implement treatment modalities. Using the social work process (psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment) in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members to develop holistic case management plans and psychosocial interventions. Evaluating the need for mental health services and makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, marital and family treatment services. participates fully in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the ICP Checklist, including periodic updates. Serving as an advocate for Post 9/11 SM/Vs and their families, helping them access needed services at the facility, at other VA facilities, and in the community. Assisting Post 9/11 SM/Vs and their families with advance directives, guardianships, and applications for home care and extended care services. Participates in the orientation, training, and teaching of social work graduate students and other trainees and staff Conducts and/or participates in research and/or program evaluation as appropriate. May serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility, VISN, and/or VA Central Office levels. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS\nThe employee reports programmatically and clinically to the SW Ambulatory Care Manager and the Post 9/11 M2VA Program Coordinator, who assigns severely ill and/or injured Post 9/11 Veterans to the Social Work Case Manager's panel.. The employee performs relatively independently in most clinical and administrative matters, but must seek consultation in unusual and/or complicated situations. Professional judgment and expertise to make decisions about services and treatment provided to veterans and their significant others/family members are made independently. The social worker is professionally accountable for the quality and quantity of the work to the facility SW Ambulatory Care Manager and SW Chief. The social worker consults with their Post 9/11 M2VA Program Coordinator and/or Social Work Ambulatory Care Manager/Supervisor around complex or unusual situations, but is ultimately responsible for decisions and actions taken. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0800-1630\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact brian.huhman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]