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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Basic Requirements: 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). 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/. 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. 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 (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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 September 10, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light lifting (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; standing (.15 hours); kneeling (.15 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; specific visual requirement (as required for motor vehicle); ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted Environmental Factors: outside and Inside; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working closely with others; working alone ["Functions: Develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others, whenever possible. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status and safely maintain the veteran in his/her home. The assessment will include a home visit. It is the responsibility of the social worker, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. Developing the treatment plan, and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family in collaboration with the HBPC interdisciplinary treatment team members. Include psychosocial problems onto the interdisciplinary treatment plan. Will attend weekly interdisciplinary care planning meetings. Ongoing assessments and updating treatment plans are done when necessary or on a quarterly basis given the changing needs as health status changes. Social workers will address the unique needs of homebound, frail, disabling/chronic and/or dying veteran. Subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs for non-institutional, institutional services/programs and entitlements. Educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Develops a resource file of VA and community social service programs and will refer the veteran to needed services. Advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans to maintain patient in the home, for admission to acute, short term and/or long term placements. Social worker has 2 access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the HBPC Program. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member. Responsible for the coordination of referrals to non-institutional services such as Contract Adult Day Health Care, and non-skilled homecare services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members. Coordination of referrals to institutional placements in Adult Foster Homes, Assisted Living Programs, Community Nursing Home or the Community Living Center at the Mann-Grandstaff Spokane VAMC. Reviewing progress notes from other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for non-institutional and institutional alternatives. Educate the veteran, their families and the team about all the options available to them and will collaborate with them. Provides the veterans and their caregivers ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illnesses, onset of catastrophic illness and/or dying, need for non-institutional or institutional services as needed during the course of the veteran's enrollment in the HBPC Program. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers. Attend weekly HBPC team meetings and departmental staff meetings, and perform other duties as required by HBPC. Collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA. Participate in activities that obtain customer satisfaction feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. This may include coverage responsibilities in the absence of other staff. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture. Enter all veteran/family contacts in the Computerized Patient Record System using appropriate formats and templates. Performs related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600 Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000000 EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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