Social Worker

Full Job Description

This Social Worker (Acute Care) position is located within the VA Orlando Health Care System, a Level 1A facility, which provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to Veterans and caregivers of Veterans with complex needs.

The incumbent is responsible for the management, and coordination of Social Work services at the Acute Medical/Surgical and ICU units.

The social worker operates within an interdisciplinary treatment team in Acute Medicine.

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 Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.

§ 7403(f). 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.

Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Exception.

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 the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. Grandfathering Provision.

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 Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.

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. 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 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, educational, and other 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.

Preferred Experience. Experience in performing assessments, treatment planning, discharge planning, care coordination, crisis intervention, and advocacy.

Able to work independently providing psychosocial support to client populations with highly complex health and/or mental health problems and the provision of short-term, solution focused counseling with clients and/or their families.

Experience in locating and obtaining community resources and assisting with linkage to appropriate referrals.

Ability to document assessments, ability to communicate effectively with peers, interdisciplinary team and families. Reference.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Physical Requirements. The work is sedentary.

Some work may require periods of standing, bending or kneeling while filing, frequently carrying light items such as employee files or pamphlets. The work does not require any special physical effort.

Major Duties:

The duties and functions of the Social Worker (Acute Care) may include, but are not limited to: Develops an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others.

Demonstrates an understanding of diagnoses, and the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions.

Participates in the treatment planning process with the veteran and the interdisciplinary treatment team based on the assessment.

Independently develops a mutually agreed upon treatment plan, to include discharge plan, with the veteran and family (when possible), which includes veteran-centered goals, objectives and interventions.

Independently collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs.

Educates the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker.

Makes rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans with the interdisciplinary team.

Provides education related to VA and community resources and Advance Directives/Living Wills and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.

Documents independently in the medical record utilizing paper and/or electronic formats, including psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment planning, progress notes, follow up and referral and documents in the computer patient record system.

Documentation also may include suicide risk assessments, clinical reminders, Goals of Care, and advanced directives. Provides guidance, emotional support, and other assistance.

Involves clients in individual or group counseling.

Employs casework methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the client work towards the best way of dealing with his/her problems.

Establishes a continuing relationship with the client, evaluating progress towards goals, performing follow-up after referral, and adjusts treatment plan when needed.

Monitors client's progress and maintains comprehensive case documentation.

Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age-associated illnesses and conditions.

Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.

Utilizes Veteran Video Connect (WC) technology, or other approved virtual care platforms, as one service delivery method available to provide Veteran care.

Evaluates his/her advanced-level practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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: Ad-hoc, based on service needs.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82660F