To provide mental health services to the veteran population served by the inpatient psychiatric unit at the Denver VA Medical Center. Services include provision of high-quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service provider/agencies as needed by the veteran. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the inpatient Team and other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate.

Duties

The inpatient social worker must function in two roles on the inpatient unit: consulting social worker for psychiatry residents' cases, and case manager on patients carried by the attending psychiatrist. As consulting social worker, the individual functions as the disposition consultant, offering support and guidance in finding an appropriate disposition for resident-managed cases. The duties, include but are not limited to: The social worker will develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, outpatient treatment providers, the veteran, family members and any significant others, as well as various caregivers involved in the veteran's life. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age-associated illnesses and conditions. The incumbent must have an understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging veteran population, be sensitive to human growth and development, age appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric veteran and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population. The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan on patients they are case-managing and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. The Master Treatment Plan will be completed on the day after a patient is assigned to the team. A reassessment of the treatment plan is required at least monthly or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's life plan or clinical condition. On resident-managed patients, the social worker is responsible for collaborating with the resident and attending in developing the treatment plan, providing input on clinical issues ranging from family interventions to disposition resources. Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. The social worker will refer the veteran to needed services. Social worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Social worker is experienced in a variety of psychosocial interventions, appropriate to patients in an inpatient psychiatric setting, including more psychoeducation-based approaches. The person functions as therapist in individual, family, couples, group, and milieu therapies. The individual will participate in case conferences to evaluate and plan treatment. The individual may also support provision of bed control duties as able, while retaining social work case management duties as a primary responsibility. Training - Social worker will be actively involved in the training function of the inpatient psychiatric unit, working closely with assigned psychiatry residents, medical students, psychology interns, nursing students, and others. The individual will also actively support the social work internship program on the inpatient psychiatric unit, through provision of clinical supervision, didactics, and other related activities as required. Education/Health promotion and prevention Social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58302-A and 58303-A. 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: Possess 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: Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. For grades below or at the full performance 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 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-9: Basic requirements as described above. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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: Completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience); OR, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185.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: Physical demands of the work are generally minor, as the position requires sitting, standing, and walking. Some travel is required as the incumbent is required to conducted monthly active outreach in the community which may require traveling long distances. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with high-risk for suicide veteran population and their families. A high level of self-awareness is essential. Work, divided between office and clinical settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer.

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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Sokhan York
• Phone: 801-584-1284 X3119
• Email: [email protected]