Social Worker (STAR)

Full Job Description

The Substance Treatment And Recovery Program (STAR) operates under the Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL) for the Fayetteville Healthcare System (FVACHS).

The incumbent provides mental health and clinical support to Veterans receiving services in the STAR Program.

Incumbent provides substance use disorder (SUD) specific treatment to Veteran patients across the life-span, who may be experiencing wide range of complicated medical, behavioral health, or Social Drivers of Health(SDOH) conditions.

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.

(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). 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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.

NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to Basic Requirements for Licensure. 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, 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11.

Preferred Experience: Experience working with SUD treatment population, Additional certification or licensure for SUD treatment highly preferred.

Familiarity and proficiency with computers and related technologies preferred. Physical Requirements. No special physical qualifications are required to perform the work.

The work requires the ability to move around the office as well as the facility campus. The work is performed primarily in offices, meeting rooms. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Social Work: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties Include but are not limited to: Provide a full range of clinical, therapeutic interventions including but not limited to screening, assessment, case management and crisis intervention.

Provide individualized treatment through group work or individually, according to practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols which are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions.

Independently conduct psychosocial and/or diagnostic assessments including use of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) as the basis for diagnostic impressions and conclusions.

Develop person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran to address substance use disorder issues and potential co-occurring mental health conditions.

Independently monitors effectiveness of treatment interventions and utilizes ongoing transitional/ discharge planning.

Support coordination of care within STAR as a key member of an interdisciplinary team.

Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing SUD and the impact of social drivers of health (SDOH) on health care and adherence to treatment plan.

Ability to evaluate one's own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means.

Incumbent is able to communicate effectively- both orally and in writing- with people from varied backgrounds.

Assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence.

Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community.

Provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and health profession trainees on SUD specific treatment for Veterans.

Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized