The incumbent is a Social Worker assigned to the BRIDGE Program at the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL providing services to Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Retirees and their Dependents.

Duties

The Social Worker in the BRIDGE Program independently performs direct clinical will coordinate services for Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Dependents with a primary mental health diagnosis requiring a level of care higher than what typical outpatient mental health services can provide. The Social Worker clinical responsibilities involve carrying out full biopsychosocial intake evaluations, suicide risk evaluations and crisis management, managing an individual psychotherapy caseload, and facilitation or co-facilitation of psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic group programming. Additional activities include regular and ongoing case management consultation with the RN Case Managers within the BRIDGE program, as well as care coordination and recovery coaching The incumbent must possess working knowledge and skills of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral interventions to be used in individual and group contexts with presenting problems across the diagnostic spectrum. The Social Worker is expected to work collaboratively and enthusiastically within a interdisciplinary team as well as with outside providers in service of the patient's needs and goals. The incumbent will be the liaison for those involved in the patient's care (family, caregivers, significant others, and other medical/mental health providers) and will be responsible for educating patient and their support system about available services as well as assisting in establishing the appropriate in collaboration with patient and their support system. The Social Work role will also involve outreach to other VA programs for the purpose of continuity of care. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Telework: 1-2 Days per pay period may be approved Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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/. (PLEASE NOTE: ILLINOIS NOW REQUIRES AN LCSW LICENSE FOR THE GS11 LEVEL) 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 Determinations: GS11 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. LCSW is required in IL for GS-11 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. 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: VHA Handbook 5005 PART II Appendix G39

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 Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Vanessa Houliston
• Phone: 725-210-2766
• Email: [email protected]