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This individual functions as a social worker on the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Program (ICMHR) team. This position will be regularly conducting work in the community and in Veteran's homes and will be based out of the Brainerd CBOC clinic. 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. 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. Education Requirement: Master of Social Work: Applicants must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Note: 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. COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. OR 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. Licensure Requirement: Appointment at the GS-11 Full Performance Level: Persons hired or reassigned to full performance 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. OR Appointment at the GS-9 (Entry or Developmental Level): 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 appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. OR Grandfathering Provision: 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. 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: Experience with Serious Mental Illness Population. Grade Determinations GS-9 None beyond the basic requirements. For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. 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. 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 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-9 to GS-11. Preferred Experience: Experience with serious mental illness population Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and non-strenuous and is carried out within the confines of the office/workspace provided. A significant amount of walking throughout the health care system can be anticipated in order to facilitate face to face contact with veterans, family members and medical center staff. Some travel to other St. Cloud VA Health Care System facilities and outlying clinics, community agencies and referral/resource services would be anticipated. ["A recruitment/relocation incentive has been authorized for highly qualified applicants. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties The incumbent is expected to provide complex clinical services to clients with serious psychological problems on a regular and continuing basis, including suicide prevention, crisis intervention, short and long term treatment, emergency location of food and shelter, legal referral, employment, structured placement, financial matters, socialization and any other problems encountered in daily living. The incumbent will achieve program goals through frequent home visits, provide medication monitoring, crisis/stress management, therapeutic mental health interventions, as well as develop linkages to community resources. The incumbent will provide community-based services to Veterans that are diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, or major affective disorder and have histories of high mental health service utilization within a 75 mile radius of the Brainerd CBOC. Incumbent provides Veterans and their family members with community outreach, counseling, therapy, treatment and direct services and referral to VA and community resources with an emphasis on a recovery-based approach. The incumbent employs a variety of clinical services including, but not limited to, individual, group, and family psychotherapy and education. The incumbent is required to exercise independent judgment and decision making in the formulation of the treatment plan with the treatment team. The incumbent provides outreach services to clients and engages in community networking which may include coordination with lawyers, board and care home operators, physicians, clergy, and representatives of other disciplines who are concerned with the same clients or group of clients. The incumbent performs administrative functions such as actively participating in clinic meetings, maintaining accurate records of clinical interactions and engaging in the measurement-based care process. The incumbent collaborates with other team members and with professionals, paraprofessionals, volunteers, and others in VA facilities and community agencies to help Veterans recognize and resolve their problems and needs. Participates in the admission/screening process by interviewing patients and/or other stakeholders and completing intake data collection with purpose of establishing treatment for individuals who are Severe and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) and who reside in the community. This includes obtaining biopsychosocial diagnostic assessments, maintaining required forms required by Northeast Program Evaluation Program (NEPEC), completing high risk screens, answering consults, and developing discharge/transition planning assessments. Provides individual/group psychotherapy related to the treatment of specific SPMI psychiatric disorders. The practitioner works under an approved social work scope of practice. Functions as a care manager for a number of Veterans on a prescribed caseload of SPMI Veterans who are admitted to ICMHR. Acts as a liaison between staff, Veteran and stakeholders in the development and review of treatments plans. Participates in periodic review of ongoing treatment of patients under the care of the ICMHR team. Engages in suicide risk assessment and safety planning for high-risk individuals. Provides ongoing documentation of Veteran's progress framework using SOAP format with a focus that is goal oriented and recovery based. This includes assisting Veteran in adjusting to current living situation, exploration of areas of deficit in activities of daily living, providing skill-building education, exploration of conflicts or trauma recovery. Incumbent acts as a resource and liaison person to public and private providers and agencies to assure continuity of care and appropriate referrals for Veterans and their stakeholders as levels of care change. Conducts or assists in carrying out planned quality reviews or research projects. Provides interventions that promote Veteran recovery and independence in health care and psychosocial areas such as appointment attendance, medication adherence, transportation, family/social relationships and community living. Ensures program service compliance with VA mandates and accrediting bodies such as CARF and Joint Commission. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 Evenings and Weekends Maybe Required - Mobile Work: This position requires mobile work. The selectee will be regularly conducting work in the community and in Veteran's homes. Telework: Will be communicated during the interview process Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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