Social Worker (MHICM)
Duties of the position include, but are not limited to:
Provide intensive case management services to assigned Veterans and significate others, consistent with the goals and methods of MHICM/ERANGE and the VA Mental Health Initiative as well as all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures. Participate in team staffing regarding patient selection, determination of treatment plans and goals, progress evaluation, discharge planning, and after care. Work assertively and consistently with inpatient teams to assure continuity of care by providing consultation regarding clinical needs, treatment plans, discharge planning, and case management services for assigned patients. Promote appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, transition of care and discharge of assigned patients, consistent with program goals and with each individual treatment plan. Actively involved in readmission decisions, using the procedures established for this purpose. Provide documentation of patient care as prescribed by the MHICM/ERANGE and Medical Center Directives. Complete clinical documentation according to MHICM/ERANGE and Medical Center standards; this includes, but is not limited to progress notes and clinical progress notes. Work with other clinical programs that share in the care of assigned patients. Maintain effective working relationships with other professional and administrative personnel both within the Medical Center and the community. Participation in training of Social Workers, interns, volunteers, and students from other disciplines. Meet with VA, community, and professional organizations and individuals as needed to carry out assigned developmental and implementation responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to representing the program by screening Veteran for participation in any aspects of the program. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00 am to 4:
30 pm; Occasional on-call Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/20/2020. 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 (MSW) 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. 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. 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 up to the full performance level. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed or certified. For grades below or at the full performance level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require 2 years of post-MSW experience as a pre-requisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In California, where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full California prerequisites for licensure. It is VHA policy that a VHA social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level. Each state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the Office of Social Work Service and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The ASWB is the association of boards that regulate social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations. The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification, while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification. Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application. Grade Determinations:
Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level; OR In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities below:
Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Ability to independently 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, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture. Knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and 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. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. 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. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA References:
VA Handbook 5005/23, Part II, Appendix G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
A pre-employment physical examination is required. Selected candidates must meet the following:
Use of fingers; Walking (4 hours); Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Other (specify):
Clear Speech; Standing (4 hours); Both legs required (Prosthesis permitted); Hearing (aid permitted).
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Provide intensive case management services to assigned Veterans and significate others, consistent with the goals and methods of MHICM/ERANGE and the VA Mental Health Initiative as well as all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures. Participate in team staffing regarding patient selection, determination of treatment plans and goals, progress evaluation, discharge planning, and after care. Work assertively and consistently with inpatient teams to assure continuity of care by providing consultation regarding clinical needs, treatment plans, discharge planning, and case management services for assigned patients. Promote appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, transition of care and discharge of assigned patients, consistent with program goals and with each individual treatment plan. Actively involved in readmission decisions, using the procedures established for this purpose. Provide documentation of patient care as prescribed by the MHICM/ERANGE and Medical Center Directives. Complete clinical documentation according to MHICM/ERANGE and Medical Center standards; this includes, but is not limited to progress notes and clinical progress notes. Work with other clinical programs that share in the care of assigned patients. Maintain effective working relationships with other professional and administrative personnel both within the Medical Center and the community. Participation in training of Social Workers, interns, volunteers, and students from other disciplines. Meet with VA, community, and professional organizations and individuals as needed to carry out assigned developmental and implementation responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to representing the program by screening Veteran for participation in any aspects of the program. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00 am to 4:
30 pm; Occasional on-call Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/20/2020. 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 (MSW) 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. 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. 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 up to the full performance level. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed or certified. For grades below or at the full performance level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require 2 years of post-MSW experience as a pre-requisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In California, where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full California prerequisites for licensure. It is VHA policy that a VHA social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level. Each state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the Office of Social Work Service and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The ASWB is the association of boards that regulate social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations. The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification, while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification. Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application. Grade Determinations:
Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level; OR In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities below:
Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Ability to independently 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, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture. Knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and 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. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. 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. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA References:
VA Handbook 5005/23, Part II, Appendix G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
A pre-employment physical examination is required. Selected candidates must meet the following:
Use of fingers; Walking (4 hours); Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Other (specify):
Clear Speech; Standing (4 hours); Both legs required (Prosthesis permitted); Hearing (aid permitted).
- Department:
0185 Social Work - Salary Range:
$52,905 to $83,210 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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