Social Worker

Full Job Description

The Tucson VA Medical Center is recruiting for an intermittent Social Worker (SW).

The incumbent has a responsibility for providing coverage for a full range of social work services to Veterans and families. Schedule will be sporadic and unpredictable.

The incumbent reports to the Emergency Department (ED) Social Work Supervisor within the Social Work Service (SWS), and may take direction from supervisors in the respective work units in collaboration with the ED Supervisor.

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. 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/.

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience/Education: Candidates must possess at least 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; or a Doctoral degree.

Additionally, candidates must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Major Duties:

This intermittent position is designed to support staffing within Acute Care, the Community Living Center and the Emergency Department (which requires on-site coverage for mental health assessment and intervention from 7:00am to 12:00am, seven days a week).

When there are staffing problems, such as unplanned leave or extended planned leave, that cannot be covered by current full time staff, the intermittent social worker will be called to help cover when possible.

Most likely coverage will be needed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays.

Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities, identify level of functioning, degree of impairment in occupational, social, academic, interpersonal and family, evaluate and assess lethality (suicidal and homicidal ideation and risk), perform mental status exams and assess cognition, identify psychiatric manifestations of various medical conditions, possess knowledge of the criteria and state laws for legal commitment an involuntary hospitalizations, brief counseling for individuals, families and groups.

In addition, incumbent has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures in working with diverse populations and circumstances.

This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, psychiatric, medical and social problems, common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology.

The incumbent must determine the presenting problem, determine factors impacting the problem, and determine obstacles to treatment and/or follow through with recommended treatments.

Social work case management coordination with members of the treatment team is required, in order to ensure a collaborative effort to meet the treatment goals for a Veteran.

The incumbent must have a high level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their families.

Be able to work with Veterans and their families experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.

The incumbent will complete thorough biopsychosocial assessments to determine the mental health diagnosis, psychosocial functioning and needs of the Veterans and/or their families.

The incumbent provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives.

Work Schedule: Intermittent 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).

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized