Senior Social Worker (PCMHI)

Full Job Description

Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System seeks a Senior Social Worker for the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program in Bakersfield or Santa Maria.

Must be experienced and demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and sound clinical judgement.

Delivers specialized clinical and program services for primary care patients with complex mental health needs, providing expert-level psychosocial interventions.

***Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

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 1. Experience in adult outpatient and/or inpatient clinical Mental Health Services. 2. Experience using evidence-based treatment models in individual and group settings. 3.

Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team. 4. Ability to work with individuals, their families an caregiver who present with complex psychosocial needs. 5.

Experience with crisis management and care coordination. 6. Experience working with Veterans highly preferred but not required. 7. Priority location for Bakersfield Outpatient Clinic.

Secondary preference, Santa Maria Outpatient Clinic. 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: Deliver clinical services to special patient populations presenting highly complex mental health problems within the primary care setting as part of an integrated program.

Act as a mentor to entry-level Social Workers and provide clinical supervision for unlicensed Social Workers, and MSW Social Work Interns.

Serve as a senior clinician with advanced practice skills and expertise, gaining recognition from Social Workers and interdisciplinary team members.

Develop and implement methods for measuring the effectiveness of social work practice using outcome evaluations to improve treatment services.

Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and experience with medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including familiarity with common medications and their effects/side effects.

Conduct assessments using psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses to determine service priorities and provide care management and comprehensive, evidence-based, recovery-oriented treatment services.

Provide individual, family, and group therapies for Veterans and their families, utilizing evidence-based psychosocial treatment modalities.

Participate in interdisciplinary treatment teams to deliver services with overlapping clinical responsibilities, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.

Provide consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits, and specialty programs, and mentor staff and students.

Complete all required clinical documentation, such as progress notes, clinical progress reports, and forms for evaluation and monitoring of service delivery and outcomes within the program.

Identify and resolve program-related problems, make suggestions for improvements, and support team members with challenging patient-care situations.

Engage with community, professional organizations, and individuals to develop resources, and maintain productivity and quality standards consistent with social work and facility standards.

Pursue continuing education to enhance professional growth.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Telework: Ad hoc telework per supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Authorized 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.

Program 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.