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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Program) Near Dayton, OH

Qualifications:

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: 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 VA's Title 38 Hybrid Occupations - Office of Human Resources Management
  • 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. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. - English
• Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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).

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, you must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-11 Social Worker:

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 (KSAs): 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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard dated September 10, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in an office setting in the PCT located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Work is mostly sedentary; however, the incumbent must follow appropriate safety procedures as there will be some periods of walking and may involve light lifting, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. May be exposed to infected patients and/or contaminated materials and will be required to take appropriate safety and protective measures

Responsibilities:

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

Seeking new provider to join a vibrant PTSD Clinical Team (PCT). This PCT has high evidence based psychotherapy reach and embodies a team based care approach to serving Veterans. The Dayton VA PCT Mission is 'To empower Veterans by providing well-researched, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders that promote awareness, wellness, and recovery from the harmful impact of trauma.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The PTSD Clinical Team provides comprehensive and intensive residential and outpatient services to patients with PTSD and other related mental health needs. The incumbent provides clinical services including, but not limited to, assessment, individual and group therapy, psycho-education, and case management services to veterans in the outpatient and residential PTSD Programs at the Dayton VAMC.

Patient Care:

• Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.
• Independently conducts psychosocial assessments including standardized evaluation for PTSD.
• Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Engages in measurement based care to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes.
• Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs. - Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services.
• Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families.
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. - Demonstrates the ability to evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means.
• Facilitates referrals based upon veterans needs and eligibility.

Documentation and Administrative Responsibilities:

• Documentation in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) is required on all active cases according to the frequency, time frames, and formats determined by the PTSD and MH RRTP Programs.
• The Social Worker will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record (CPRS) using appropriate formats and templates providing a comprehensive description of Social Work activities.
• Treatment plans and biopsychosocial assessment will be completed in accordance with local policy.
• Maintains standards for quality and timeliness of documentation according to Medical Center Policies and attends regular Mental Health staff meetings.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, or as determined by agency need
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: AD HOC, as determined by agency need
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 91949-0, 91950-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact visn10hredrpslrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator, for questions/assistance. Education support | VA Careers
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary