Career Center

Summary

The incumbent provides a variety of psychological services to Veterans - including psychological assessment - diagnosis - evaluation - and treatment in the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic under the administrative supervision of the Mental Health Program Manager

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 to http://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 to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker - GS-11 (1) 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: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c
• OR (2) 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.(3) 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 - 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
• Preferred Experience: Working on integrated multi-disciplinary teams (BHIP) - couples therapy and/or SUD'S preferred 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: The work performed is mainly sedentary in an office setting and on computer equipment
• This position is suitable for telework at the discretion of management.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Other duties as assigned: Administrative Responsibilities a) Conduct screening - assessment - diagnosis - and treatment of mental health disorders with an emphasis on the application of goal-oriented - evidence-based approaches
• b) 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
• c) Provide psychological prevention services for those at significant risk for psychological problems
• d) Provide psychological interventions to manage pain - disability - address sleep problems - facilitate weight loss - promote smoking cessation - and enhance medical compliance
• e) Monitor treatment progress using measurement-based tools and recommending adjustments to the treatment plan as appropriate
• f) 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
• g) May provide services through the use of tele-mental health technology
• h) Must possess and demonstrate ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds
• i) May also be detailed or given other duties as assigned
• Administrative functions: j) Is responsible for supporting the mission - policies - and procedures of the Department of Veteran Affairs - the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and the facility
• k) Is willing to serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor
• l) Is responsible for furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment
• m) Can provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers - and - if interested - to serve as a preceptor for social work students
• n) Can maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Office of Mental Health Operations
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Telework - VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service - increase worker productivity - and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies
• This position may be authorized for telework
• Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized