The selected Social Worker will be an independent clinical social worker responsible for the management, coordination, and provision of social work services to Veterans and their families on the Mental Health Consultation and Liaison Team at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. This team serves Veterans with acute mental health needs on the medical units at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

Duties

The selected Social Worker operates within an interdisciplinary treatment team, including the primary medical team and the Mental Health Consultation and Liaison Team. Most services are provided in the inpatient setting, with some outpatient and aftercare services provided as indicated. Services include biopsychosocial assessment, treatment planning, individual and family therapy, case management, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other VA or community service providers and agencies as needed by the Veteran. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the Mental Health and Medical treatment teams. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to; Able to provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy and case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with complex psychological and psychosocial needs. Will develop a psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others. Demonstrates an understanding of diagnoses and the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, including geriatric patients, related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age-associated illnesses and conditions. Will participate in developing a mutually agreed upon treatment plan with the Veteran and family (when possible), which includes Veteran-centered goals, objectives, and interventions. Is a subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Responsible for educating the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of the surrogate decision-maker. Maintains a current and productive network of referral resources, and makes provision for referral services from other VA programs, community resources (e.g., transition houses, shelters), and other governmental agencies and coordinates services to support Veterans successfully reintegrating into the community. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. Understands the intricacies of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. Has access to multiple resources directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. Provides education related to VA and community resources, Advance Directives/Living Wills, and mental health treatment preferences, and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be Sunday-Wednesday 7am to 5:30pm. However, the selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care. Telework: May be available - as determined by agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Social Worker - Mental Health Consultation and Liaison. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,10/16/2023. 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. 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). 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: 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: 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401 (3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Those candidates with Inpatient Medical or Mental Health social work experience are highly preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: The position requires performance of work which involves light physical effort, such as that involved in lifting light files, bending, standing, reaching, operating office equipment such as telephone, copier, fax machine, scanner, etc. 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). 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.

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: Christopher Cacciapaglia
• Phone: (407) 432-5810
• Email: [email protected]