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This position is located in the Out-Patient Mental Health Service at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania VA Medical Center (WB VAMC) is responsible for the provision of case management, individual and group therapy, clinical treatment, crisis intervention, advocacy, discharge planning, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies in collaboration with members of inpatient mental health treatment teams and other interdisciplinary treatment team members. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 (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.) 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. Physical Requirements. Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs, walking and standing up to 4 hours, kneeling 1-2 hours, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, hearing (aid permitted), glasses and prosthesis allowed, able to hear whispered voices, and emotional and mental stability; Environmental factors: outside and inside, electrical energy, working closely with others, protracted or irregular hours of work, and repetitive computer use. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 ["The duties for this position include, but are not limited to: Contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran, family members/significant others, and other Outpatient Mental Health clinical staff. Throughout the course of treatment, acting as the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Collaborating with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. Educating the veteran and family members/significant others on available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decisionmaker. Using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. S/he will refer the veteran to necessary services. Understanding the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible, will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus, fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. The Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. Providing education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will, and referring veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Reviewing progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran. The incumbent will educate the veteran, their family members/significant other, and the team of all options available to them, and will collaborate with the veteran and family members/significant other on the preferred option. Participating in activities that obtain feedback from clients and working to enhance services as necessary. Collaborating in the performance improvement processes and complying with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. · Attending all appropriate staff meetings (i.e., team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, Social Work supervision meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, etc., as appropriate). Establishing positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers, and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Entering all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the veteran is shared with other VA staff and will be reviewed on a regular basis. Providing individual, family, and group evidence-based therapies to veterans. Providing the veterans and their family members/significant other with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with severe mental illness. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: May be available based upon the needs of the service. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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