Senior Social Worker (ADHC)

Full Job Description

The Veterans Health Administration is recruiting a Senior Social Worker to provide services for our Veterans in the Adult Day Health Care Program (ADHC) at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center (SACC).

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the primary goal is to prevent or delay institutional care for at-risk Veterans, enhancing health, functional status, and quality of life.

The Social Worker provides geriatric expertise, education, and support to colleagues, Veterans, and caregivers.

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.

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

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.

Note: 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.

Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

Experience: 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.

Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice.

Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

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.

Performance Level: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; hearing (aid permitted).

Preferred Experience: - Experience working in a geriatric setting and collaborating with internal/external partners is highly preferred - Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment planning Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Major Duties:

Duties include, but are not limited to: Collaborates with Veterans, their families, and the multidisciplinary team in a timely manner to ensure comprehensive care.

Provides advanced level case management interventions, including completing various forms and applications to ensure Veterans receive all entitled benefits and services.

Assists Veterans in the procurement and retention of benefits, and links them to specialized services such as legal issues, home care, financial assistance, transportation, food services, mental health support, and patient education.

Conducts clinical social work activities, including comprehensive psychosocial assessments, advance directive counseling, grief and bereavement counseling, linkage services, care coordination, crisis intervention, and case management services.

Assesses the need for conservatorship or VA fiduciary, and consults with VA legal counsel as necessary regarding care.

Provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy and advanced case management interventions for Veterans and caregivers.

Works collaboratively with the Veteran's Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and caregiver to offer ongoing support, education, and resources/referrals.

Understands the process for mandated reporting and appropriate follow-up interventions for signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and cognitive problems experienced by Veterans.

Supports team members in managing challenging patient-care situations.

Develops and implements methods for measuring the effectiveness of social work practice through outcome evaluations to improve treatment services, and makes necessary changes based on findings.

Offers consultation to colleagues on psychosocial treatment, providing professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practices.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Authorized