Social Worker

Summary

The Social Worker is assigned to the Emergency Department and supports inpatient care teams. The position provides social work services for Veterans presenting to the ED. Services include psychosocial screening - assessment - intervention - care coordination - admission diversion - preadmission discharge planning - health education - advanced care planning - supportive counseling - and family support. The social worker works closely with members of the ED - Primary Care - and Inpatient Teams.

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
• 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/
• 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 at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.] For appointments at the GS-9 grade 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 three years of their appointment as a social worker
• Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam
• In states such as California - Washington - and others 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 state prerequisites for licensure
• A 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
• 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: Social Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors
• (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
• (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goals
• This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
• (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• (e) Fundamental knowledge 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
• Social Worker - 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 nonVA 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 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
• 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
• Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
• Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: A
• Psychosocial Screening and Assessment The Social Worker conducts comprehensive psychosocial screenings and assessments of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran - family members - and significant others
• The goal is to understand the Veteran's situation - presenting problems - their causes - and the impact on the Veteran's level of functioning and health
• This assessment highlights the Veteran's strengths - limitations - high-risk factors - acuity levels - and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize functional status
• It includes attention to self-care deficits - acopia of the Veteran and/or caregivers - abuse - neglect - exploitation - intimate partner violence - and frail elderly indicators
• The initial assessment - as well as reassessments - must be completed as specified by policy
• B
• Psychosocial Treatment and Intervention The Social Worker works closely with Veterans to align care with their preferences and treatment goals - collaborating with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran - and family members
• This includes a range of psychosocial treatments such as supportive counseling for Veterans and caregivers - information and referral for financial and resource needs - and the involvement of palliative and hospice care services
• C
• Case Management and Care Coordination The Social Worker provides case management and care coordination during episodes of emergency care and other specific needs
• This involves acting as a health coach - supporting self-care - and ensuring the provision of clinical and psychosocial services
• The Social Worker coordinates supportive services such as temporary lodging and transportation - acts as a liaison between treatment programs - and ensures smooth transitions for Veterans receiving community and after-care services
• D
• Health Education and Advanced Health Care Planning The Social Worker identifies health education needs and works with the interdisciplinary team to create plans addressing these needs
• Education includes disease information - treatment options - symptom management - and Advance Health Care Planning such as Advance Directives and Living Wills
• For specialized education outside of their scope - the Social Worker refers to the appropriate team members
• E
• Advocacy The Social Worker acts as an advocate - addressing bureaucratic challenges and fostering independence and empowerment in Veterans and their families
• F
• Crisis Intervention The Social Worker is adept at rapid assessments and crisis management planning - utilizing multiple resources to address emergency situations effectively
• G
• Discharge Planning/Treatment Planning/Goal Setting The Social Worker is responsible for developing - updating - and reassessing discharge plans - treatment plans - and treatment goals with the Veteran and/or their family/caregiver
• This involves collaboration with other service providers and educating the Veteran regarding the available services and appropriate referrals
• H
• Resource Usage/Development The Social Worker uses and enhances the social work resource file of VA and community social service programs to benefit Veterans - making necessary referrals for needed services
• I
• Coordination of Non-Institutional and Institutional Services The Social Worker reviews progress notes to determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran referred for community health services
• They educate the Veteran - family - and the team about available options to collaboratively choose the preferred service
• J
• Supportive Counseling The Social Worker provides ongoing supportive counseling to Veterans and their families to address the psychosocial impact of illness and coping with chronic or catastrophic conditions
• Work Schedule: 0800-1630 M-F Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized