This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former participants ineligible to apply.
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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Note: 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. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Experience: At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.
Duties include, not limited to: Screens MHRRTP admissions face to face or via VVC/telephone. After compiling pertinent clinical information, evaluates consults with interdisciplinary treatment team for appropriateness for residential level of care. Attends daily team rounds to assess and plan Veteran care and disposition (transition of care) needs. Performs Mental Status Exams (MSEs), Uniform Biopsychosocial Assessments, Uniform Biopsychosocial Continuing Assessments, and other diagnosis-specific assessments (e.g., CAPS-5 for PTSD) and Measurement Based Care instruments (e.g., BAM, PHQ9, PCL- 2 5) as appropriate within scope of SW practice to assess individualized Veteran care needs. Facilitate completion of advanced directives and psychiatric advance directives with Veterans and their families. Develops and maintains/revises treatment plans, in collaboration with the MHRRTP interdisciplinary treatment team and in accordance with local policy and accrediting body standards, on all assigned patients. Performs advanced level case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with poly-trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, and serious mental illness. Provides suicide screening and comprehensive suicide risk evaluations, develops safety plans and delivers lethal means safety counseling, and completes SBOR and related documentation/reporting regarding suicide/overdose risk management. Works in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team and the Local Recovery Coordinator and is well versed in SOPs for suicide prevention and clinical management of patients at high risk for suicide or other adverse outcomes (e.g., those identified by REACH VET). Provides (VA/DoD CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR MANAGEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH and SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS) Evidence Based practices/interventions to include individual, group, couples and family therapy, and other EBPs with in scope of SW practice. Develops discharge plan in concert with treatment team, Veteran, and family (as appropriate). Coordinates transitional care for Veterans needing referral to the outpatient mental health clinic as well as admission to the inpatient psychiatry unit and/or other VA services. Coordinates psychosocial needs of the Veteran to include temporary housing, long term care, transportation and post-discharge MH, Medical, and SUD care services and associated transportation. Provides discharge follow-up phone calls to veterans who are discharged regularly or administratively for treatment engagement and may provide listed services to 1W Veterans (inpatient MH), ED and or at medical floors Ensures Same Day Substance Use and Mental Health Access either Face to Face or via Phone, consistent with MHS SOP. Must have 1 year of experience providing evidence based psychotherapy for substance use disorders (SUD; CBT-SUD, MI/MET, CM). Must have 1 year of experience providing evidence based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; CPT, PE, EMDR). Must have current valid driver's license for the position as driving for community therapeutic outings is a shared responsibility for psychotherapist staff. Preferred at least 1 year of experience in inpatient or residential mental health/substance use recovery program. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.