The Non-Institutional Care (NIC) Social Worker works within Social Work Service and provides services to Veterans receiving non-institutional care through the Orlando VA Health Care System.

Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to: The NIC Social Worker is responsible for the reassessment of the Veterans need for continuation of VA authorized care in the community. Tasks will include resolving requests to change assigned agencies and reviewing requests for additional services. The incumbent is responsible for assuring that the documentation for all Veterans receiving VA-purchased home health care services have their need for service reviewed per guidance outlined in the Standard Episode of Care (SEOC); e.g. every 180 days. The incumbent acts as liaison between VA and community home health agencies. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the recertification of services for Veterans admitted to the NIC Programs by the NIC Coordinator, insuring Veterans re-authorized for services continue to meet program eligibility; e.g. H/HHA, CADHC, In-Home Respite, and VDC programs. The incumbent works independently in providing appropriate documentation, review and follow-up of complaints within the NIC Programs. He/she is also responsible with the GEC Social Work Supervisor and NIC Coordinators for organizing and preparing reports concerning the NIC Programs for the Medical Center Director, VISN Liaison, and Central Office. The NIC Social Worker has general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service connected pension; including co-pay criteria for NIC Programs. The incumbent provides both informal and formal education to VA staff on any changes in VA policy concerning their programs; as well as, community agency staff. The NIC Social Worker establishes rapport with agency/community providers, to monitor Veterans' care plans for re-authorization of services per SEOC. This is primarily a clinic-based position. Work requires regular and recurring periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer and telephone use. Work areas are often noisy, irregular and unpredictable, and can be stressful at times. The incumbent evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. The NIC Social Worker is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment. The NIC Social Worker will fulfill ethical responsibilities to Veterans, colleagues and VA in accordance with relevant discipline Code of Ethics, VHA Code of Ethics, and local Ethics policies, which includes but is not limited to compliance with all laws and regulations related to confidentiality and release of information, and protecting Veterans' personal identifying information. The NIC Social Worker will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. The NIC Social Worker will attend all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, GEC staff meetings, and other committees) as appropriate. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible:Not Available. Telework: May be available - as determined by the agency/facility. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/12/2023. 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. 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/. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Social Worker candidates must have the following: Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one (1) 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 (1) year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position: GS-11 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 Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. Preferred Experience: Experience with Geriatrics & Extended Care programs and services provided in the community to assist Veterans with aging in place, such as: Homemaker/Home Health Aide, Home Respite, Community Adult Day Health Care and Veteran Directed Care programs. Performing assessments, treatment planning, and care coordination. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work requires use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted; clear speech; emotional stability; moderate duty.

Education

Must have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Payton Hendrix
• Phone: 813-970-3541
• Email: [email protected]