Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Social Worker. The incumbent is assigned to the Spinal cord Injury Service (SCI) and provides social work coverage primarily for the Inpatient SCI unit. The incumbent may also provide absentee coverage for the SCI social work program coordinator - the outpatient clinic social worker or the social work associate when they are on leave or absent from the medical center.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position - you must meet the requirement below within 30 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000
• To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: 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)
• 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 3 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/
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations:GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• 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
• 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
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• 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
• 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
• 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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• Preferred Experience: Knowledge of VA (e.g
• H/HHA - HBPC) and community resources (e.g
• PASSPORT - M.O.W. - SNFs - transportation services and benefit programs through the VA (e.g
• SC compensations - NSC Pension) or other government programs (e.g
• Medicaid and Medicare benefits - Waiver Programs - Veterans Service Commission)
• Physical Requirements: Lifting and carrying light objects under 15 pounds - using two hands - walking for up to two hours
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination - correctable vision - hearing with or without aid - depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and emotional and mental stability.

Duties

• The Social Worker duties include - but are not limited to: Conducts initial psychosocial assessments during the first outpatient geriatric appointment along with discussions about Advanced Directives and the completion of Living Wills
• Consult with patients and family regarding recommended d/c level of care to include home with services - Skilled Nursing Facility - State Veterans Home - or other additional locations
• Provides information on the level of care options - gain feedback on which option the patient/family would like to pursue - assist them with completing any necessary paperwork/forms and implement the chosen d/c plan
• Performs case finding functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs in the section of Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders
• Coordinates community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs and community agency programs
• This includes specialized programs for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder
• Provides crisis intervention services - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint - coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members
• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92480A (GS-9) 92481A (GS-11) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized