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.

Duties

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is a highly complex Level 1A VA Facility and provides diverse services including extensive primary, secondary, and tertiary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential and community settings. The MEDVAMC multi-site system includes a major medical facility in Houston Texas; outpatient and residential facilities; eleven Community Based Outpatient Clinics; Community Resource and Referral Center and Mental Health Residential Rehab Treatment Center. The Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) Case Management Program's mission is to facilitate the seamless transition of Active-Duty Service Member / Veteran (SM/V) to MEDVAMC. Many transitioning Service members and Veterans suffer from multiple complex physical and mental health problems, including but not limited to traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, burns, loss of vision, combat stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and serious mental illness. In addition to health complexities, the transition from active duty to civilian life can also contribute to social complexities. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Incumbent is a professional social worker whose duties and responsibilities relate to the coordination and care management of Transitioning Active-Duty Service Members and Post 9/11 Veterans within MEDVAMC catchment area and is specifically assigned to Tomball Community Based Outpatient Clinic (TOPC). The incumbent will have level of skill and expertise to work with Post 9/11 service members and/or Veterans and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems. She/he demonstrates knowledge of medical and mental health diagnosis, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate goals and a treatment plan. Contacting transitioning Service members and Veterans prior to transfer to VA to facilitate their registration, enrollment, initial VA appointment scheduling or inpatient admission and provide education on VA care, services and benefits. Screening and assessing for case management needs, clinical reminders, and risk factors, including and not limited to suicide, food security, and homelessness. Coordinating any necessary appointments and services at the VA medical facility under TRICARE that the Service member will use while still on active duty including terminal leave and convalescent leave. Entering case management documentation into Electronic Health Record (EHR). Continually reassessing Veteran's acuity and complexity of biopsychosocial need(s) and adjusting level of case management intensity as clinically indicated. Providing case management during transitions of care for service members and Post- 9/11 era Veterans. Applying clinical interventions uniquely tailored to the Service member or Veteran, their family, and caregiver, and communicating with them on the contents of the agreed upon plan of care, including case management contact frequency. Serving as the Lead Coordinator (LC) when deemed appropriate. Provides 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 case and compliance with treatment. As a member of the Tomball Community Based Outpatient Clinic (TOPC) health care team, participates fully in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the interdisciplinary treatment plan, including provision of care management services. Serves as an advocate for Post 9/11 service members and/or Veterans and their families, helping them access needed services at the facility, at other VA facilities, and in the community. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-01281-F 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

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/. 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. For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure. 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). GS 09 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. GS 11 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. Preferred Experience: Social Work Case Management Experience The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 11. Physical Requirements: Performing activities such as sitting, walking, standing, bending and carrying items such as books, papers and files are required.

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Timothy Countryman
• Phone: 303-330-7566
• Email: [email protected]