CHA Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. If selected for this position, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov and cc VISN12EDRP@va.gov for more information. Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education Requirement - You 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). Note: 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. Transcripts Required Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Social Worker at the advanced practice level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Copy of Licensure Required. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level of the candidate. GS-11 Grade level - Experience and Licensure/Certification: 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. OR Substitute of Education for Experience: 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. 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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, dated 9/10/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL NOW CLOSE 3/22/2023. A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized to highly qualified individuals. This Social Worker position is located in the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic at the Tomah VA Medical Center. The Social Worker provides a variety of psychological services to Veterans including psychological assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. An emphasis is placed on the provision of Evidence Based Treatments. The Social Worker at the full performance level of the GS-11. Duties include: -Conduct screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders with an emphasis on the application of goal-oriented, evidence-based approaches. -Administer, score, and review rating scales, questionnaires, or other measurement-based tools in an effort to assess emotional, functional, or psychological conditions as well as establish Veteran-focused, individualized, treatment planning. -Provide psychological prevention services for those at significant risk for psychological problems. -Provide psychological interventions to manage pain, disability, address sleep problems, facilitate weight loss, promote smoking cessation, and enhance medical compliance. -Monitor treatment progress using measurement-based tools and recommending adjustments to the treatment plan as appropriate. -Provide services to the families of Veterans when such care is directly related to the overall treatment plan for the Veteran and will allow better care for the Veteran or will allow the family to sustain the Veteran in the home environment. -Provide services through the use of telemental health technology. -Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: May be available and will be discussed at interview. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified individuals. EDRP Authorized: Contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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