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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. *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 05, 2023. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be January 26, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** 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: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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 AAPLIES at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. Grandfathering Provision: 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, 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: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, 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: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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 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: Must be Physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, and sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Complete annual employee health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["Major Duties Interviews veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health. Uses subjective and objective data to make and clinically assess veteran's needs. Uses clinical training, and experience to identify viable treatment options and makes appropriate referrals for care. Serves veterans as inpatients or outpatients who often have severe crises, lack family or community supports, frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychological support. Evaluates the client's situation and arrives at a reasoned conclusion. Uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis. Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the veteran and family or significant others. Assesses serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional decisions and recommendations for treatment. Finds suitable means of treatment to help veterans and/or significant others cope with stressful situations. Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members. Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. Provides consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Takes appropriate action, even in instances where actions can have serious impact on the life of the veteran. Oversees clinical Social Work practice in the areas and programs to which assigned. Evaluates his/her practice as a Social Worker on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, or other organized means. Provides clinical services to veterans and family members/significant others in support of the veteran's treatment. Provides individual and group counseling services including psychotherapy in some settings. Assists and encourages veterans and significant others in facing problems, thinking them through, evaluating the situation realistically, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems. PACT services include assisting Veterans with Digital Divide/Telehealth issues. Coordinates care and services with resources and service-lines in the Sheridan HCS and in the community. Records all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attends all appropriate staff meetings and perform other duties as required by Social Work Service and Mental Health Service Lines. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures. Maintains Professional Licensure. Demonstrates professional behavior that conforms to VA regulations and policy, State and Federal laws, and ethical codes of appropriate professional social work accrediting organizations. Complies with the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics. Provides clinical supervision to various disciplines and levels of training. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staffs of units to which assigned. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the psychological characteristics. Completes all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system. Present outcome data and research at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings. Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces. Participates in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations. Represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community group/events and committees. Work Schedule: M-F, 07:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 50625A, 50626A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Linda.Orchard@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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