Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
  • Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable.
• 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 and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.]
    • For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure.
    • A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
• Failure to Obtain 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.
• 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).

Grade Determinations:
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.

ALSO NEEDED

• 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.

Preferred Experience: VA experience. Outpatient psychotherapy experience with adults. Evidence-based psychotherapy experience.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 II-G39-1 | APPENDIX G39. SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0185

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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing, 2 hours; Ability to see computer screen; Hearing (aid permitted); Prolonged Sitting; Working closely with others; Working alone

Responsibilities:

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

The principal role of the Social Worker Outpatient Psychotherapist is to provide psychotherapy services for veterans receiving care in the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) General Mental Health (GMH), as part of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Home Team which utilizes elements of recovery. The position is located in GMH of BHS at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, WA.

• Provide a variety of direct psychological treatment services addressing the complex psychosocial issues faced by the Veteran patients served in outpatient General Mental Health.
  • These direct services include, but are not limited to: intake assessment, treatment plan development and implementation, treatment interventions (such as individual, family, couple, or small group therapy, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, case management, education, advocacy), shared decision-making and support group development and leadership.
• Provide a variety of assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services within outpatient General Mental Health.
• Assists Veterans in crisis, in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team, General Mental Health, other Behavioral Health Service programs, Emergency Department, and others. Facilitates referrals for patients in crisis, when indicated.
• Maintain a caseload of patients.
• Serve as an active member of an interdisciplinary BHS treatment team that develops, implements, evaluates, and updates individualized treatment plans for identified Veterans seeking care through various BHS outpatient programs.
• Provide occasional coverage for other areas of activity within BHS or coverage while other staff is on leave.
• Record clinical information in the patient's medical record according to prescribed standards.
• Participate on a variety of service and facility committees, task groups, or special projects groups as assigned by Supervisor or BHS Chief.
• May provide training opportunities and either direct or indirect supervision of graduate Social Work or Mental Health Counselor students or other related human services students as directed by the Supervisor or BHS Chief.
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail.
• Maintain tracking system for special projects, and ongoing data requirements.
• Attend appropriate educational programs, seminars, etc.

Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM Monday through Friday
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required