The position is located in the Social Work Service of the Miami VA Health Care System. The Social Worker is the Homeless Program Social Worker and as such, identifies homeless veterans in the community who are eligible for VA treatment; develops treatment resources and provides case management services.

Duties

The Social Worker provides psycho-social assessment which include diagnostic appraisal of behavior and adaptation patterns, evaluation of family, economic, cultural, community, and psychological support systems. They establish and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patient and/or family who may be experiencing a variety of complex psycho-social medical problems. The Social Worker coordinates care and services available to "walk-in" homeless veterans in collaboration with HCHV clinicians on a weekly rotating basis; establishes productive working relationships with homeless veterans and service providers in the community. In the community setting, this Social worker assumes responsibility for the intake and triage of homeless veterans he/she has identified which involves assessment of the patient's dangerousness to self or others, evidence of psychosis, mental status and the need for psychiatric hospitalization. The Homeless Program Social Worker serves on appropriate community boards and committees and assists in the development of methods to collect/interpret program data and establish procedures for the program evaluation; provides general supervision to volunteers and student trainees who work in the Homeless Program. A valid driver's license is required. Additional duties include but not limited to: Identification of eligible homeless veterans: Incumbent establishes productive working relationships with homeless veterans and service providers in the community. Collaborates with community providers to establish contact with homeless veteran during visits to various shelters, missions, and to other appropriate community programs. Have excellent working relationships with the VAMC's administration to facilitate the veteran's admission to care including establishing eligibility, developing a medical treatment folder, etc. Evaluation and case management of homeless veterans: In the community setting, the Homeless Program Social Worker assumes responsibility for the intake and triage of homeless veterans when identified. These newly identified patients may be in acute distress. Must demonstrate a high level of professional judgment which includes the ability to independently make decisions and recommendations. Assessment of the patient's dangerousness to self or others, evidence of psychosis, mental status, and the need for psychiatric hospitalization. It includes knowledge of substance abuse, as well as formulation of a psychosocial assessment that includes the veteran's motivation and readiness for treatment, independent living or transitional housing. Function as an effective facilitator between the patient and his/her environment, to make decisions quickly and accurately regarding appropriate disposition or intervention including immediate hospitalization, medical/psychiatric consultation, and mobilization of community and VA resources to meet the patient's financial, social and environmental needs. Establish effect working relationships with the VAMC's social work staff, particularly in Ambulatory Care. Administratively responsible to the Coordinator of Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) or designee for her duties in the HCHV Program. Professionally responsible to the program coordinator or designee to discuss quality and quantity of work and to coordinate with HCHV Coordinator or her designee actions beyond her own area of responsibility. Meets with the coordinator on a regular basis for supervision. Must provide outreach to homeless veterans in "dangerous areas" which may be without benefit of police protection. Provide weekend/holiday coverage as identified in Social Work Service. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with rotating tours of duty as needed. Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Social Worker (Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program) 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/. 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. VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a Social Worker. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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 Requirements 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. 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. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA's), 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. The GS-11 KSA's for this subject position are; (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, Part II, Appendix G-39. Social Work Qualification Standard GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: To meet the physical demands of the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. They must have good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken and written word. Must be able to view and read information computer screens. Must be able to exercise extreme control over one's own emotions especially in highly charged and/or crisis situations. The work takes place in the outpatient clinic environment and exposes the incumbent to the typical diseases and conditions associated with a health care setting. Ability to drive/operate government vehicle.

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.

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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Kathryn Miller
• Phone: 407-793-6273
• Email: [email protected]