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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker Near Cheyenne, WY

Qualifications:

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.
• 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. 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. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/.
• Failure to Obtain or maintain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. 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-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

Grade Determinations:

Social Worker GS-09

Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
• 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, 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 in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies such as papers, books, or small parts. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others.

This position also requires close visual acuity (near vision correctable at 13' to 16') to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, hearing (aid permitted), and clear distinctive speech are all required.

Responsibilities:

List the major duties and responsibilities, but not limited to:

Screening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team, The PACT Social Worker screens and assesses the veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to facilitate his or her discharge from the hospital Through collaborative relationships with the veteran, his or her family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff, The PACT Social Worker coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate discharge goals and discharge time frames. Assessment information may include, but is not limited to:

• Marital/family/social status
• Concern for abuse / neglect / financial exploitation
• Employment/financial status
• Use of entitlement programs
• Legal problems/issues
• Impact of medical problems on psychosocial functioning
• Strengths/Limitations

Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, The PACT Social Worker determines realistic goals that consider such factors as
a) the appropriate level of discharge care,
b) the setting conducive to providing such care,
c) the need for interventions to enhance caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care,
d) transportation options/barriers and e) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the transition from the inpatient setting successful.

Advance Directive Screening and completion - The PACT Social Worker will screen Veterans while in the outpatient setting to identify need to provide education and offer assistance with completing an advance directive.

Referral to service providers - To facilitate the continuity of a veteran's recovery, the PACT Social Worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, community-based extended care). The PACT Social Worker will collaborate with other service providers in re-assessing the veteran's needs during the eligibility determination process, coordinating access to information needed for the referral. Additionally, the PACT Social Worker will educate the veteran and/or caregiver about the available services and their shared responsibility in accessing such services. The veteran's preferences or that of his or her surrogate decision-maker will be considered throughout the referral and care coordination process.

Resource Usage/Development - As a developing subject matter expert on the services and resources available to veterans through both VA and the community, The PACT Social Worker will monitor patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the veteran's transition from the inpatient hospital setting.

Advocacy - The PACT Social Worker will advocate for the Veteran to ensure that he or she has access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, The PACT Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the veteran. When appropriate and feasible, The PACT Social Worker will educate and encourage the veteran and his or her family/caregiver to advocate on his/her own behalf, fostering independence and empowerment.

Crisis Intervention - The PACT Social Worker will assess and intervene in any medical or psychiatric crises presented by the veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. The PACT Social Worker will work collaboratively with other disciplines on complex cases (i.e. the Mental Health Team).

Education/Health promotion and prevention - The PACT Social Worker will provide education about VA and community resources, entitlement programs, VA benefits and Advance Directives/Living, completing the advanced directive or living will as requested. The PACT Social Worker will refer veterans and their families/caregivers to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: May be available to highly qualified applicants
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 50894, 50895
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary