The Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) is organizationally aligned within the Psychiatry and Mental Health Service line. The PRRC Social Worker provides direct psychotherapy and social work services to veterans diagnosed with serious mental illness. Social Workers in the PRRC assist veterans and their families with recovery from chronic or serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

Duties

Identifies the expected and unique diagnosis-related problems of the Veteran and provides appropriate psychosocial input to the treatment team. Identifies problem areas and developments that should be brought to administrative attention. From screening/assessment information, the PRRC Social Worker determines realistic goals and objectives with the Veteran for a comprehensive plan for treatment. Maintains knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services when appropriate. Maintains a professional knowledge of the theories, principles and values of social work required to develop and maintain social work programs in assigned areas. Maintains state of the art capabilities in systems of service delivery to individuals, families and groups. Exercises judgment; program planning, development and implementation; identifies problems and the need for policy changes and program direction that should be brought to the attention of the section Program Coordinator. Participates in multi-disciplinary conferences in assigned areas. Assists Veterans and families in obtaining medical, financial and social resources in the community that will enhance the Veteran s recovery and/or adjustments. Assesses the Veteran advocate and acts on the patient and family half when needed. PRRC Social Workers must be willing to address barriers to service with and for Veterans using a broad range of psychosocial theories and principles and specific to social work values. The PRRC Social Worker will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and/or family and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. PRRC Social Workers are expected to perform risk assessments whenever the potential for self-harm is suspected, to provide information on available safety resources, and to evaluate the Veteran's ability to access necessary resources and supports. The PRRC Social Worker will provide education to Veterans with incomplete or erroneous understanding of their mental illness and consults with physicians and other members of the clinical staff regarding patient needs in this area. The PRRC Social Worker establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. The PRRC Social Worker provides supportive, insight or other forms of therapy, as indicated to veterans and /or families. The PRRC Social Worker will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate formats and templates. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92005-0, 92006-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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). 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. 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: 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 and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level and be able to demonstrate 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. OR 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. Preferred Experience: Therapy experience working with older adults. References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. Physical Requirements: In accordance to 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 Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 West Tenth Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 US
• Name: Eileen Archer
• Phone: 463-867-6722
• Email: [email protected]