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 PC-MHI Collaborative Care Coordinator (PC-MHI CoCM) Social Worker (SW) provides evidence-based, condition specific (e.g., depression), protocol-driven services to collaboratively assist PACT providers in treating common mental health and health behavior concerns in primary care. PC-MHI CoCM services include patient education, psychotherapy, activation, behavioral interventions, monitoring of medication adherence and response, as well as other protocol-driven services. These services are provided in the outpatient Primary Care setting within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. The primary function of the GS-11 Social Worker is to provide immediate access to clinical assessments and appropriate collaborative care and treatment to Veterans experiencing mental health symptoms via self-report or screening tools to prevent the development of more severe symptoms through early recognition and intervention. The Social Worker identifies, through psychosocial assessment and family assessment, the social, emotional, interpersonal, and environmental needs of the Veteran that may interfere with his/her mental health, and/or impede the Veteran from obtaining his/her mental health recovery goals. The Social Worker is able to exercise appropriate clinical judgment and decision making when formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan, providing ongoing assessment of the patient's progress and treatment. The Social Worker has extensive skills in utilizing VA and community resources. Psychosocial Assessments - The Social Worker interviews the Veteran, family member and/or significant other to establish facts about the Veteran's current situation. In collaboration with the Veteran, family member and/or significant others, the Social Worker, completes an accurate psychosocial assessment. The assessment reflects the Veteran's strengths as well as primary concerns and/or challenge/s. In addition, the assessment outlines any hindrances for the Veteran obtaining optimal health as well as internal/external supports and needs for Veteran to achieve success. Structured assessments are additionally administered throughout episode of treatment as well to continue symptom monitoring and treatment planning. Treatment planning/goal setting - The Social Worker, in collaboration with the Veteran develops an individualized treatment plan using standardized algorithms to guide treatment recommendations and support evidence-based decision making. This may also be done in collaboration with the Primary Care Provider and other PC-MHI team members. The plan is based on the Veteran's goals (needs and/or preferences) using his/her own language. The treatment plan is person-centered, holistic, non-linear and strengths based and adjusted as needed according to the Veteran's response. The Veteran's goals are obtainable and measurable. The Social Worker also has the clinical knowledge and skill set to identify and assist the Veteran's use of internal/external supports such as people, places, things, or activities utilized by the Veteran to succeed in his/her goals. Provision of clinical services - The Social Worker provides clinical services (individual and/or group psychotherapy, marital or family counseling), case management services, psychoeducation and clinical interventions using evidenced-based techniques such as behavior activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness base therapy, motivational interviewing, and other focused treatment strategies to treat the following diagnosis including but not limited to: anxiety disorders; adjustment disorder; PTSD; insomnia; interpersonal conflict; anger; grief. The Social Worker provides clinical services in the form suicide prevention triage and counseling. The Social Worker assists Primary Care Team in providing emergency/crisis interventions in an effort to stabilize Veteran in crisis. Documentation - The Social Worker documents all visits with the Veteran, family member and/or significant other electronically through the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and completes encounter forms for each visit. Referrals - The Social Worker has knowledge of the VA and community's service systems and processes to access them. Advocacy - The Social Worker acts as an advocate for Veterans within the hospital system, wider VA, and community services whenever necessary. Administrative Responsibilities - The Social Worker attends all administrative and programmatic meetings. He/she may perform other duties as assigned by the PC-MHI SW Supervisor, Social Work Mental Health Program Manager, PC-MHI Coordinator, Deputy Associate Chief of Staff/MH&BS, and Chief of Social Work Service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 25913F EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. 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). Creditable Experience. The candidate must have knowledge of current professional social work practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be post-Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a master's degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training. Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-9 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. 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, (VA or non-VA experience) 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. 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 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Kelli Bencic
• Phone: 716-458-6982
• Email: [email protected]