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

Major Duties include but are not limited to: Assessment: Independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations and SUD assessments of Veterans and their significant others. When assessing Veterans for admission to the BHC, the incumbent uses the established biopsychosocial admissions criteria to determine the appropriateness of Veterans referred to the BHC for service in the different treatment components. Performs a comprehensive intake assessment and SUD evaluation that satisfies Joint Commission (JC) standards and provides clinically meaningful information related to the specific cognitive - social learning treatment approach used in the BHC. While the patient is in treatment, the Behavioral Health Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor provides assistance to the SUD team with monitoring the status of problematic behaviors; assessing patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; determining the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas. Treatment: Assists members of the SUD team by providing same-day assistance to Veterans experiencing urgent or non-urgent needs. When there are same-day cancellation of therapy clinics due to provider call-ins, the care manager's services will be offered as a contingency service as mandated by VA policy. Care Management: Coordinates treatment activities to ensure that patients are provided with an individualized, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to care. In this regard, the Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor will provide assistance to Veterans within the SUD team by: Making referrals to community-based programming which may include, but is not limited to intensive case management, acute inpatient, detox and residential care. When Veterans are admitted to detox and residential care, coordinates with inpatient/residential providers to assist in discharge planning. Ensures mandated follow-up services are scheduled and Veteran attends appointments. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her caseload. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs. As clinically indicated, provides input into the development of comprehensive, individualized treatment plan specific to the BHC treatment model. Assess patients, as needed, in order to determine the status of his/her current clinical problems, current needs, and responses to treatment. Takes action to communicate findings with relevant SUD staff and initiates action to modify treatment, when indicated. This includes referral to appropriate services following the completion of the Behavioral Health intake. Handle requests of an administrative nature and act as patients' primary contact person (e.g., requests for consultations, misunderstandings regarding program policies, rules, procedures, communications to and from staff, etc.); recommend actions concerning necessary controls and restrictions to enhance therapeutic effectiveness for individuals, groups, and the patient community; give patients feedback as to their status and progress in the treatment program; and give guidance and advice to patients regarding benefits and services provided within the Department of Veterans Affairs and local community which are likely to have a therapeutic impact on patients. Program and Staff Development: Takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in-service programs, and medical education presentations; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral health; and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports. Recommends methods to improve the quality, quantity, and integration of treatment services. Outreach activities are performed independently and in settings in which there is a significant lack of normal supervisory controls over his/her performance. Conducts other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am-5:30pm; Wednesday 11:00am-7:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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 knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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, PART II, APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred Experience: Experience providing therapy specific to substance use disorder Physical Requirements: See VA 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 Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Ahsha Konate
• Phone: 412-822-1454
• Email: [email protected]