The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) Social Worker is assigned to the IPVAP Program with primary responsibilities to provide clinical evidence-based services and interventions; provide Veteran and staff education on intimate partner violence (IPV); engage in community outreach and resource development, continuous quality-improvement activities, and evaluation and consultation.
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: 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 Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. 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-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. 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 candidates with the following are highly preferred. Ability to complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments, knowledge of interventions related to intimate partner violence. Ability to provide education and presentation to wide variety of staff and patients. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to drive a government vehicle. 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: 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. In addition, must meet occupational health requirements for driving physical to include approval to transport Veterans in a government vehicle.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent works closely with the IPVAP Coordinator or designee to complete program required telephone contacts, assessments, safety planning and facilitation of IPVAP groups. They serve as the facility subject matter expert on IPV and IPV-related issues. The incumbent is required to be familiar with the services and benefits available for Veterans, their intimate partners, caregivers, and VA employees from both federal, state and private sector or community resources. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to; Supports compliance with IPV screening, identification and documentation protocols in accordance with the VHA Directive 1198 and other related national policies and guidance. Conducts Relationship Health and Safety Screenings and Assessments, makes referrals to community resources and governmental agencies for services, coordinating services as needed. Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for addressing the needs of Veterans, their intimate partners, caregivers and VA employees' experience relating to IPV, as well as enhancing the quality of service provided. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments and assesses IPV risks, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social drivers of health, social risks and social needs. Conducts safety planning (and provides consultation to other clinical staff as needed) with individuals at risk for IPV. Incumbent identifies resources and additional needs for clinical interventions. Provides evidence-based interventions, specifically IPV-related interventions including Strength at Home (SAH) and Recovering from IPV through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE), as well as other support groups and educational programs. Provides consultation to facilitators of SAH, RISE and so forth. Will develop an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, the family and significant others. Social Worker is responsible for developing a treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family. Will provide a full range of Social Work services to include case work, Measurement Base Care, individual, family and group counseling, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Responsible for assisting the Veteran/family in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his/her surrogate decision-maker. Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for Veterans within the VA and community. Will address Advance Directives Discussion, Advance Directives, Goals of Care planning or conversations in accordance with the standards of their work area. will coordinate treatment and communicate with other Social Workers and community program coordinators to include NIC, CNH, and TCM, Behavioral Health Programs, Homeless Program, Suicide Prevention etc., to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans, to include emergent placement if needed. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm. 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 - Intimate partner violence (IPV) GS-9/11 82568F/80593F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized