Career Center

The Northern VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Social Worker within its Geriatrics & Extended Care Service, Home-Based Primary Care. This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until Thursday, September 30, 2022 or the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be Friday, July 15. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis. 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. [Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable]. 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/. [A copy of current licensure/certification showing date of issuance, must be submitted with application] Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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 non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. 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: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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 Work Qualification Standard, GS-0185, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: Involve active listening, reading, observing and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior; walking, speaking, writing reports, writing policies and procedures, writing clinical notes; using office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopy machines and travel throughout the catchment to include the VA community and to outlying rural areas to do outreach and to visit patients in the community and in their homes. Will on some occasions be required to neutralize disruptive/angry patients or employees. ["The Social Worker is responsible for assessment, planning, and provision of case management services in the HBPC Program. The incumbent coordinates a variety of activities including outreach, interdisciplinary activities, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, consultation/education to Medical Center staff and community-based service providers, the collection and maintenance of statistical data, and the supervision of students as assigned. The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Develops assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, and family members/significant others, whenever possible. Contributes to the development of the treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran, family members/significant others and other HBPC clinical staff. Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs for non-institutional, institutional services/programs and entitlements. Uses the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. Understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/significant others. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and refers Veterans and families/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordinates the referrals of non-institutional services such as HBPC, ADHC/CADHC, home hospice and skilled and non-skilled homecare services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members. Provides the Veteran and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. Completes a variety of administrative functions such as entering all Veteran/family contacts in electronic record; attend all appropriate staff meetings, collaborate in performance improvement processes and other duties as assigned. Provide Social Work Services for all HBPC locations during staffing shortages and vacancies. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Available after completing at least 90 days of continuous service\nTelework: Available, after 6 months of Orientation and the discretion of the Director\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker (Home-Based Primary Care)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]