The Columbia VA Health Care System (VAHCS) opened in 1932 at its current location. The facility has 204 skilled nursing beds, which includes acute medical, surgical, psychiatric, and long-term care. The hospital provides primary, secondary, and some tertiary care. The facility is a complex teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology, education, and research. 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/. 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Homeless Populations Experience. 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 GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs., Moderate carrying; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Walking 1-4 hours; Standing 4 hours; Repeated bending 8 hours; Hearing (aid permitted). Operation of a motor vehicle to transport patients and materials is required. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This announcement will remain open until March 23, 2023 (or when positions filled). The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 22, 2022. Eligible applications received after that date may be referred as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions filled. - Coordinate and provide and provide evaluation and other services supporting the functional abilities of Veterans who are struggling with issues of homelessness. - Work directly with Veterans within the various community sites and will provide case management services and partner with community agencies to link access to community-wide housing service for Veterans. - Provide services such as psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy, discharge planning and follow-up, crisis intervention, case management assistances, resource development, and coordination related to these services as clinically indicated. - Provide case management and referral assistance to the Veterans and work closely with the primary care and mental health clinicians and the interdisciplinary teams that assist veterans in meeting their goals and objectives within psychosocial rehabilitation framework that allows successful reintegration into community living. - Responsible for program monitoring and serving as a primary contact with local Public Housing Agencies (PHA's) and providing case management based services (directly or through referral) necessary to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated with the VA medical center, community health or mental health providers, and agencies that serve homeless populations. - Responsible for data collection, record keeping, and monitoring patient or program clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements. - Provides primary input for program participant selection based on structured interviews and clinical assessments. - Assists the Supervisory Program Specialist for the HCHC/CWT/HUD-VASH and Supervisory Social Worker in monitoring the provision of quality clinical services and with ensuring the coordination of a continuum of recovery-oriented services for the homeless Veterans in the Social Work Service. - Provide social work consultation to other professional staff both inpatient and outpatient. May be called upon to provide supervision to graduate level Social Work interns, and other students. - Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm. (Subject to change based on agency needs). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD01774A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
