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 EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: GS 09 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. GS 11 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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. Preferred Experience: Acute medical inpatient social work experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties for GS-9 The Social Security Insurance / Social Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Social Worker will work with Veterans in the Housing for Urban Develop / VA Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) programs. This position requires excellent assessment skills and an ability to organize and synthesize the Veteran's health history. It is expected that the Social Worker is familiar with benefits, specifically the Social Security system to expedite Veteran benefits using the SOAR process. This is a major focus of this position. Engaging with Veterans, knowledge of the VA and community resources, and collaborating with interdisciplinary providers ensures access, services, and benefits to this population. The Social Worker provides consultation and education to VA staff and community based service providers. The Social Worker documents Social Work activities and interventions in the Veteran's clinical record utilizing the computerized patient record system (CPRS). The Social Worker will collaborate and deliver case management services provided to Veterans in the programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness. It is expected that the delivery of Social Work services is time limited. The Social Worker has general medical knowledge regarding health and mental health diagnoses. Maintaining time limited effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans experiencing health/mental health and social problems by utilizing clinical skills to facilitate referrals based upon the Veteran's needs and eligibility. The Social Worker may provide therapeutic interventions, participate in treatment planning, and initiate/monitor both VA and community referrals. Duties for GS-11 The Social Security Insurance / Social Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Social Worker will work with Veterans in the Housing for Urban Develop / VA Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) programs. This position requires excellent assessment skills and an ability to organize and synthesize the Veteran's health history. It is expected that the Social Worker is familiar with benefits, specifically the Social Security system to expedite Veteran benefits using the SOAR process. This is a major focus of this position. Engaging with Veterans, knowledge of the VA and community resources, and collaborating with interdisciplinary providers ensures access, services, and benefits to this population. The Social Worker provides consultation and education to VA staff and community based service providers. The Social Worker documents Social Work activities and interventions in the Veteran's clinical record utilizing the computerized patient record system (CPRS). The Social Worker will collaborate and deliver case management services provided to Veterans in the programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness. It is expected that the delivery of Social Work services is time limited. The Social Worker has general medical knowledge regarding health and mental health diagnoses. Maintaining time limited effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans experiencing health/mental health and social problems by utilizing clinical skills to facilitate referrals based upon the Veteran's needs and eligibility. The Social Worker may provide therapeutic interventions, participate in treatment planning, and initiate/monitor both VA and community referrals. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 570-2353 and 570-2336 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized