This co-located collaborative care position is administratively held within the Mental Health Service Line, programmatically assigned to the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program, located within primary care. The PCMHI Senior LCSW functions as part of a multidisciplinary primary care team, and delivers brief consultation-based services to Veterans and primary care providers. 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: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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 Master 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/. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Senior Social Worker GS-12 Preferred Experience: Experience with Mental Health Primary Care Integrated References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/106 PART II APPENDIX G43 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospital, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. The incumbent must possess a current Driver's License and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. ["This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until 9/29/23, candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing complex emotional, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills. Incumbent is able to address complex problems independently and autonomously. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Significant knowledge of treatment modalities and ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals independently. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, and/or crisis intervention techniques. Individual in this role will be able to manage crisis independently and support others in management of mental health crises. Incumbent will also serve as member of interdisciplinary team as a serve as a resource for referrals, mental health recommendations, and coordination of care. Incumbent will also complete other duties as assigned Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
