This position is located in a Mental Health Program in the Social Work Service at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. The Social Worker functions as part of the staff in a Mental Health Program, providing mental health care within the Medical Center and/or Community Based Outpatients Clinics.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU CLINICAL FUNCTIONS Provides psychosocial assessment and diagnoses mental disorders based on assignment and clinical privileges. Provides education with recovery-oriented core principles to patients, family members and significant others. Provides targeted evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals, couples, groups, families and eligible caregivers. Provides consultation to VA staff and community providers, concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients. Documents results of assessments, consultations and interventions. Develops, implements and documents the recommended plan of care for patients. Provides clinical services through the use of TeleHealth when clinically appropriate and applicable to setting. Collaborates with patient's interdisciplinary team, including participation in treatment team meetings/huddles. Initiates and promotes communication among medical staff and mental health staff, patients, their families and caregivers to facilitate the treatment process. Attends training and uses evidence-based treatment protocols for patient centered trauma informed treatment as appropriate to assignment. May provide supervision of trainees with supervisory approval. Performs case finding and outreach to identify and screen patients for psychosocial needs. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate their own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, supervision and other organizational means. Is responsible for assessment, management and follow up on psychiatric emergencies in the setting to which they are assigned. Performs other related duties as assigned. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS The incumbent is responsible for supporting the mission, policies and procedures of VA, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), the facility, Social Work Service and Mental Health Service. May serve on committees, work groups and task forces at the facility, VISN, or VA Central Office levels with supervisory approval. Keeps supervisor apprised of problems and recommends solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. Is responsible for furthering own professional growth through education, appropriate to area of assignment. Provides coverage during staff absences within the assigned work group and as requested by supervisor. Maintains a level of productivity and quality consistent with facility and discipline specific standards and the complexity of the assignment. Participates in meetings with patient specific clinical teams to provide advocacy and resources. Shares with colleagues knowledge gained from clinical practice and training relevant to the field of Social Work. Comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program actively promote awareness of diversity and inclusion in Social Work practice. Responsible for timely completion of all clinical documentation required by the Medical Center, VISN, VHA or oversight agencies. Completes administrative duties including facilitating timely scheduling of appointments, follow up on related issues, and responding to all forms of communication from patients, colleagues and community partners. Assists in the design, development and implementation of clinical programs. Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the program to which assigned. Assists in ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical practice and program to which assigned. Complies with national and local performance measures, including advance care planning and timely completion of clinical reminders. Complies with all procedures and standards for documentation including accurate use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) coding. Attends and participates in administrative and clinical meetings held by Social Work, Mental Health and Medical Center leadership as requested. Attends individual and group supervision, team meetings related to assignment and work group as appropriate. Represents the Medical Center, VISN or VHA at professional or community events and committees. Complies with reporting procedures related to abuse and neglect and privacy (See VHA Directive 1605.01, Privacy and Release of Information). Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:PD21O60A 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: Possess 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. For grades below or at the full performance level, 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 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Licensure: Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). GS-11 Grade Determinations: 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. AND 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 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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 Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Crystal Collier
• Email: [email protected]