The Rome Outpatient Clinic and Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for one Social Worker for the Mental Health department. The Social Worker is a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team (BHIP) Therapist who provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups using psychosocial and mental health assessments, crisis intervention, advocacy, and facilitating referrals to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies for the Veterans well-being.

Duties

Major Duties: Collaborate with the Veteran and their significant others to determine the best course of action in all mental health treatment modalities. - Develop a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, and their natural supports that considers the range of mental health treatments available and sensitivity to the unique, individual needs of the Veteran. - Have working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses. The incumbent will possess a solid understanding of medical terminology to effectively communicate with other healthcare professionals. - Familiarity with treatment procedures for the range of acute through chronic psychiatric illnesses, as well as common medications their effects and side effects. - Expertise in evidence-based treatment methods, some but not all may include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). - Actively contribute to the development of the Veteran's treatment plan and set achievable goals in collaboration with the Veteran, their significant others, and other clinical staff. - Experience in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for potential admission to psychiatric hospitalization or mental health residential program. - Collaborate with other service providers to reassess the Veteran's needs on an ongoing basis and provide appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference with incorporation of their surrogate decision-maker when necessary. - Facilitate discharge planning by working alongside the interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure a smooth transition for the Veteran. This requires effective communication and coordination to ensure that appropriate discharge plans are executed in a timely manner. - Possess excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, and ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. - Documenting clinical treatment inventions and activities in the patient electronic clinical record clinical record is essential. Review progress notes from other providers to accurately assess the Veteran's strengths and limitations to ensure comprehensive care. - Provide Consultation services regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment adherence. - Coordinate treatment and communicate with other services to facilitate comprehensive care for Veterans. Including the provision of continuity of care during transfer to a lower or higher level of care. - Have general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension is crucial, as it enables the incumbent to make appropriate referrals based on Veterans' needs and eligibility. - Perform any other duties assigned, adaptable to the changing needs of the organization and the Veterans served. - Evaluate own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means. Other Significant Responsibilities - The LPMHC participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager. - May provide supervision to a LPMHC Intern or be generally involved with the mental health counseling training program. - The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline and when needed. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available 1-2 days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. This exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, LPMHCs must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed within three years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0183 LPMHC series and may result in termination of employment. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. The GS-9 grade level is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience(post-master's degree) or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in paragraph 3.b., and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to engage in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, continuum of care, evaluation and follow-up. 2. Knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices. 3. Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span. 4. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 5. Ability to serve 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. 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services, such as Telehealth. 7. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. 8. Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. GS-11 Experience, Education, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level and demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. 2. Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship. 3. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings and discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases and confer about the counseling perspectives and orientation. 4. Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment and skill. 5. Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment. 6. Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or familial counseling interventions; demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and possesses multicultural counseling skills. 7. Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. 8. Ability to develop and facilitate psychotherapy and psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, and community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G43 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.

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 Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Rebekka Fandrey
• Phone: 0000000000
• Email: [email protected]