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The incumbent Social Worker is assigned to the Community Based Outpatient Centers in Carroll, Iowa that are under the continuum of care at the Central Iowa VA Healthcare Center. This position is in the Mental Health Service Line and will be responsible for the management, coordination and development of social work services to veterans and their families assigned to their caseload. 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/. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. 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 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: (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. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II, Appendix G39 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. Physical Requirements: This position is mainly sedentary and will be performed in an office setting. ["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. The incumbent provides therapy/counseling (individual, couples, families, and groups) to veterans for issues related to mental health and behavioral issues, substance abuse disorders and other complex and diverse psychosocial problems and well as patients being treated at the. CBOC for primary care issues. MSW maintains a designated clinical caseload. Veteran served come primarily from the CBOC catchment area. Duties include, but are not limited to: interviewing veterans; completing psychosocial assessments; developing comprehensive treatment plans; establishing and maintaining therapeutic alliances; developing and providing clinically efficacious therapeutic interventions; analyzing complex psychological problems; identifying specific veteran needs; coordinating with external consultants and ancillary mental health professionals to ensure appropriate and necessary treatment is provided/offered to veterans; developing and providing psycho-educational groups; educating and training other professionals and students in effective treatment modalities; regularly attending and actively participating in required team meetings, medical center, and mental health meetings; and making sound professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and treatment planning. Typical problems that may be encountered include PTSD, depression, anxiety, impulse control issues, suicidal homicidal ideation, and clinical and sub-clinical problems affecting vocational and social adjustment. Supervision is provided by the Clinical Coordinator of Mental Health Service Line for complex cases and on an as needed basis. Incumbent maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical records in accordance with professional practice, and VA administration guidelines. He/she establishes and maintains effective relationships with various veteran agencies and develops personalized services for veterans. Incumbent exercises mature professional judgment and flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills in support of the veteran's treatment. Assists and encourages veterans and significant others in evaluation of the situation from a realistic standpoint, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems. Serves as liaison for VA Central Iowa Healthcare System/Mental Health Service line in providing mental health services to CBOC patients. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. PLEASE SEE THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BELOW Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm\nTelework: Ad Hoc\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]