The License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) within the Substance Treatment Program (STP) Specialty Clinic treatment team providing primarily group psychotherapy, case management and individual psychotherapy to veterans seeking specialty Substance Use & Substance Use Disorders (SUD) care. This position is located at the Mann-Grandstaff VA in Spokane, WA.

Duties

Clinical Duties: Screening/Assessment: Independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, psychosocial acuity, SUD/MH, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up. Fully utilizes the current DSM in making diagnoses (of all MH and SUD diagnosis) and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions. Delivers services both in person and via video technology. Treatment Planning/Interventions: As evidence-based psychotherapy trainings become available, the GS-11 LCSW will have the opportunity to attend trainings and begin to develop specialized knowledge of a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions. Treatment approaches include but are not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy for SUD, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and motivational enhancement therapy. LCSW will be able to conduct therapy for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and other major MH disorders using EBP's such as PE, CPT, EMDR and able to attend trainings for these. Provides complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Ability to assess and safety plan for suicidality. Conducts SUD groups each week as part of the IOP/OP and Aftercare, focusing on skills, psychoeducation and Mental health. Due to the location and lack of space to do in-person groups, groups will be done virtually. Conducts case management services for veterans enrolled in SUD Specialty services, to include but not limited to: coordination of care with other clinics/programs/facilities, provision of resources/education, completing clinical reminders, administering measurement based care, and managing emergent veteran needs within the clinic. Additional case management includes reports to legal authorities for court mandated SUD treatment. Assists supervisor with guiding treatment to LMATs and helps with case conceptualization. Serves as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned veterans and conducts the duties of this role. Effectively communicates with and utilizes community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. Possesses knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Serves on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Complies with peer review procedures. This position does not have but may in the future have collateral research obligations or supervisory responsibilities Administrative: Provides asynchronous case management, consultation to APU, Medfloor, BHS and PACT Teams, HUD/VASH, referral management, individual scheduling, and consultation with legal entities, VJO, VA and non-VA residential detox and treatment facilities which may be 1 or more hours a day each day. Provide leadership, staff development, continued education, maintains reference materials, documentation of policies, oversight of EBT provided by LMAT, LCSWs and delivery of EBT and trainings. Provides clinical supervision of non-licensed and licensed LMATs and LCSWs to assist with clinical skill development. Assists STP Supervisor or Director for quality management, improvement, and compliance with accreditation organizations and VA standards, CARF, JACHO, SAMSHA data. Complies with all EHRM documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on patients who are their responsibility. Attends regular staffing meetings in the SUD Specialty Clinic, Outpatient Behavioral Health Service, and Behavioral Health Service Line, up to 5 hours a week due to the nature of providing care throughout multiple hospital service lines. Authorized to attend monthly Evidenced based care meetings, community of practice meetings, SUD monthly national trainings, standard of practice meetings. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

This position may also be filled by a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Internal posting - USAJOBS - Job Announcement External Posting - USAJOBS - Job Announcement To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) Licensure/Certification. 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/. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-11) 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. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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: Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. Social Worker, GS-11 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, 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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFERRED DATE REQUIRED) 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. Preferred Experience: Experience working with veterans and substance use disorders References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, September 10, 2019 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: Light lifting (under 15 lbs.), use of fingers, ability to see computer screen, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone.

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]