Summary

The Social Worker serves as a case manager for the Community Nursing Home (CNH) program. The social worker performs and coordinates a variety of activities including psychosocial assessment - case management - treatment planning - service coordination - consultation/education to medical center staff and community-based service providers - outreach - facility reviews - the collection and maintenance of statistical data - and the supervision of students as assigned.

Qualifications

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 tohttp://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 tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
• 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-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: 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: (a) Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgrounds
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• Driver's License Requirement - 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
• If an interview is requested - you will be required to provide a copy of your current - valid state-issued Driver's License
• 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: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel
• Physical activity involves sitting - standing - walking - bending - stooping - climbing stairs - and carrying light items such as papers - books or other supplies
• The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks
• The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers
• A level of self-awareness is essential.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Reviews new consults for CNH and makes determinations in accordance with the program guidelines outlined in IVC Field Guidebook (CNH section) and VHA Notice 2023-07 (Community Nursing Home Program)
• Conducts follow-up visits to patients placed in nursing homes
• Addresses case management needs for patients placed in skilled nursing facilities for rehabilitation services via the Community Care Network (CCN)
• Independently performs case finding functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs
• Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability independently implement treatment modalities and provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families - and groups
• Independently conducts psychosocial assessments of a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diverse backgrounds
• Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team
• Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions
• Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and the ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goals
• This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
• Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services
• Provides crisis intervention services - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint - coordinates family conferences - and serves as a liaison to family members
• Ability to coordinate community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs - and community agency programs
• Has working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatments - to include: acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries
• common medications and their effects/side effects
• and medical terminology
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families
• Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical and social problems utilizing individual - group and family counseling and therapy skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and representatives of community agencies
• Incumbent is able to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgrounds
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan
• Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students
• Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements
• Work Schedule:8:00am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 71219F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized