The Social Worker assigned to the Orlando VA Medical Center Mental Health Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program (MHRRTP) provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an independent practice level to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Their health care and psychosocial problems and needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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: Must 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: 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/. (NOTE: For those who have a Florida LCSW license, you must be registered with the state as a "Qualified Supervisor" in order to provide supervision for licensure or specialty certification. All others must meet the requirements of their state of licensure to be able to provide supervision for licensure.) Applicants with Puerto Rico LSW must be an active member of the College of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico (CPTSPR) and must provide CPTSPR active membership certification. For additional information, please visit Membership - CPTSPR. English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401 (3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Those applicants who have experience working with patients with SUDS disorder case management are highly preferred. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The position requires performance of work which involves light physical effort, such as that involved in lifting light files, bending, standing, reaching, operating office equipment such as telephone, copier, fax machine, scanner, etc. The physical demands of the work requires use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted; clear speech; emotional stability; moderate duty.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf The selected Social Worker must be able to complete assessments, have clinical understanding of complex diverse populations, have strong crisis intervention skills, and work independently with little oversight and supervision. The selectee must have clinical knowledge of co-occurring disorders, inclusive of the challenges of treating those with Axis II disorders that will not ameliorate with short term treatment or medication. The Social Worker will be a member of an interdisciplinary team that thoroughly assesses the needs of the Veterans, as well as monitors progress throughout their admission. The Social Worker will be required to interact not only with the patient but also family, significant others, community agencies, and other staff. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to; Reviews all data, subjective and objective, to make a clinical assessment of the Veteran, their family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems. Clinical interview skills will be used to gather and document data that analyzes and interprets relevant strengths and needs directly related to patient health, care planning, treatment, education, internal/external supports and case management needs in order to identify viable treatment options and support the Veterans' discharge planning goals. Assessments will reflect a skillful and comprehensive view of the Veteran's current state of functioning and support, as well as high risk factors, acuity, and need for services. Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team which includes working with the Veteran/family in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop and implement a resident centered treatment plan. Provides consultation to VA staff regarding the psychosocial needs of the veterans and the impact of their problems on their health and adherence to their treatment plan. Assists MHRRTP residents with concrete processing of needs assessment in order to begin planning realistic steps necessary for a successful discharge from the MHRRTP. Facilitate discharge planning through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. Knowledgeable in the Recovery Model, the principles of holistic health, and will have a working knowledge of the role of trauma in crisis and mental health exacerbation during brief counseling interventions. Responsible for educating the Veteran and their families on the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference. Makes provision for referral services from other VA programs, community resources (i.e., transition or halfway houses, shelters, etc.), and other Governmental agencies and coordinates services to support Veterans' successfully reintegrating into the community. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm. (Compressed tour may be available.) However, the selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Social Worker-Mental Health Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program (MHRRTP) GS-11 #4849 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.