This position is located in a Mental Health Program in the Social Work Service at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York.
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. 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 and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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. AND 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, educational, and other 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, 8 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Must be licensed, as this position requires independent practice within a primary care clinic setting without close supervision. Experience providing mental health services in clinical environments. Background in facilitating group therapy sessions or group support programs. Strong ability to assess, plan, and provide therapeutic interventions for diverse populations. Demonstrated skills in collaboration with interdisciplinary medical and behavioral health teams. 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. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The Social Worker functions as part of the staff in a Mental Health Program, providing mental health care within the Medical Center and/or Community Based Outpatients Clinics. The Social Worker applies strategies to a full range of patient problems and has knowledge of culturally sensitive psychological assessment techniques, including diagnosis, intervention and outreach that qualifies them to provide consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. Duties include but are not limited to: Exercise judgment in the selection of or adaptation of standard and accepted psychological theories, techniques, and practices in treating patients and clinical populations. Coordinate service delivery with the assigned team as well as other mental health programs and medical services within the facility and community as appropriate. Provides psychosocial assessment and diagnoses mental disorders based on assignment and clinical privileges. Provides education with recovery-oriented core principles to patients, family members and significant others. Documents results of assessments, consultations, and interventions. Collaborates with patient's interdisciplinary team, including participation in treatment team meetings/huddles. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate their own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, supervision, and other organizational means. Responsible for assessment, management and follow up on psychiatric emergencies in the setting to which they are assigned. Responsible for supporting the mission, policies and procedures of VA, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), the facility, Social Work Service and Mental Health Service. Provides coverage during staff absences within the assigned work group and as requested by supervisor. Completes administrative duties including facilitating timely scheduling of appointments, follow up on related issues, and responding to all forms of communication from patients, colleagues, and community partners. Complies with all procedures and standards for documentation including accurate use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) coding. May provide clinical supervision to various disciplines and levels of training, including trainees or staff seeking advanced certifications in Social Work with supervisory approval. Performs duties independently and reports programmatically and clinically to the Program Manager based on assignment. Work Schedule: Intermittent (as needed coverage) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD21O60-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized