The Military to Veterans Administration (M2VA) Social Worker/Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) is assigned as a point of contact for returning combat Veterans from the Gulf War era within the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS). The TPA is responsible in assisting both combat and non-combat Veterans from Military Treatment Facilities or other VA health care facilities.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The Social Worker's principal role of M2VA Social Worker/TPA is to provide ongoing assistance to returning combat Veterans and non-combat Veterans and their families over the course of time VHA health care services are to be provided. The Social Worker/TPA will assist returning combat and non-combat Veterans with a variety of needs, including assessment, referrals to M2VA Case Managers, for mental health and/or medical needs, benefits questions, and various other concerns. The Social Worker will be knowledgeable about existing resources within VHA and the community. This also involves development and coordination of referral procedures for the use of these community resources. Duties include but are not limited to: Program Administration: The Social Worker serves as the point of contact and advocate to assist transitioning Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Operation Spartan Shield (OSS), Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Resolute Support (ORS), Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), other operations in the war on terrorism and non-combat Veterans who recently transitioned from active duty as well as assisting their families. Many of the Veterans suffer from multiple complex health and mental health problems, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, burns, combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this position is dedicated to ensuring severely injured service members and Veterans have a personal advocate as they move through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. The Social Worker in collaboration with M2VA program manager will contact any member of the health care system concerning any matter for problem relating to patient care which has not been resolved by other services and to seek a resolution within the full resources of the health care system. When a problem area or complaint is identified, the incumbent will work with M2VA program manager to explore all avenues within the health care system to properly identify the nature and scope of the problem and to initiate appropriate action to expedite a resolution. Plans Effective Treatment: The Social Worker independently ensures that the Veteran receives efficient service and quality care in a setting commensurate with assessed needs. Makes decisions regarding individual caseload priorities and workload activities in collaboration with treatment teams and based on the patient's needs, goals, and objectives of the team and the VA health care system. Assesses and determines the extent and intensity of social work treatment required for individuals and their families. Makes recommendations to M2VA team members and treatment teams based on the psychosocial assessment, focusing on providing the Veteran the needed internal and external resources/supports in the least restrictive environment. Maintains effective management of their assignment, including special assignments in keeping with VHA, VISN, facility and service priorities and customer service goals. Outreach Activities: Facilitates efficient and appropriate delivery of care across episodes of care within Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS), including Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Provides information about VA services to Gulf War era Veterans and network with points of contacts at the local Department of Defense (DoD), Military Reserve, and National Guard units. This includes being the primary point of contact for Yellow Ribbon events and Medical Soldier Readiness Processing Events (SRP). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. (Weekend and evening tours may be required) Tour of duty subject to change based on the needs of the agency Telework: Adhoc may be available at the discretion of the Service Chief or equivalent Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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/. 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. 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 work with Veterans and family members from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (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 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: (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. Full Performance Level. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable, achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Social workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community. Preferred Experience: Outreach Program experience highly preferred 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in moderate to high physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. The Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the Social Worker or others.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Tierra White
• Phone: 919-286-0411 X172651
• Email: [email protected]