Senior Social Worker

Full Job Description

The New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is seeking a Social Worker specializing in Neurology and Eating Disorder.

Applicants must have expertise in outpatient care, neurological conditions, eating disorders, and integrated healthcare.

Candidates should demonstrate extensive experience handling complex issues such as mental health, loss adjustment, social determinants, elder abuse, self-neglect, dual diagnoses, intimate partner violence, women's health, and substance use.

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: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work.

Licensure: Candidate must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

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: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations.

This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management.

Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.

Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.

Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.

Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.

Preferred Experience: Background in medical social work, discharge planning, and experience with neurological medical conditions.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Performs specialized interventions for veterans with neurological conditions and eating disorders, including case management, psychosocial assessments, diagnoses, and treatment planning within scope of practice.

Acts as lead coordinator to ensure efficient, coordinated care for complex cases.

Serves as a resource for veterans seeking psychosocial support, providing education and assisting with advance directive screening, documentation, and care planning discussions with patients and families.

Identifies decision makers when directives are absent.

Delivers individual, group, and family psychoeducation and advanced case management for veterans with neurological and eating disorders, including co-occurring conditions.

Develops and maintains access to internal and external resources for veterans and families. Builds partnerships with community, civic, academic, legal, and healthcare organizations.

Serves as a primary resource for staff and maintains specialized resources. Provides clinical guidance on complex psychosocial issues and consults with colleagues on patients' psychosocial needs.

Offers independent consultation to staff on veteran psychosocial factors affecting health and treatment adherence.

Participates in service, medical center, and community committees related to social work, sharing expertise on policies, processes, and external influences impacting patient outcomes.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 07:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized