Social Worker - Intensive Services Social Worker

Full Job Description

The Intensive Services social worker (MSW) assumes primary responsibility for the provision of intensive services to Veterans who are admitted to the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Residence (CWT-TR) Program.

The Intensive Service social worker also provides float coverage for the provision of intensive services to Veteran who are admitted to the Substance Abuse Domiciliary/Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs and to the Acute Psychiatry Units.

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: Be a citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part).

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/.

Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment.

Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-185 social work series and may result in termination of employment.

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-11 (1) 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 (2) 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.

(3)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.

(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.????

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some moderate physical effort may be required. Major Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): High level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with veterans in the Mental Health Center and/or their families.

Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.

Possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups.

Independently complete thorough psychosocial/substance abuse assessments to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and/or their families.

Possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, etc.

Serves as a liaison between veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services.

Possess skills and knowledge to provide advocacy and case management services to veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care.

Possess and demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds.

Knowledgeable of terms, treatment modalities and services used specifically to assess and treat individuals who have been diagnosed with a substance abuse and/or a mental health disorder.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized