This position is located at the Oswego VA Clinic, in Oswego, NY. The primary responsibilities for the Social Worker (BHIP Therapist ) involve providing psychotherapy to individuals couples and groups, conducting psychosocial and mental health assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy and facilitating referrals to other appropriate VA or community service providers/ agencies whenever necessary for the Veterans' well-being.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: 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. 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. 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 manne Provide Consultation services regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment adherence. Coordinate treatments 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. Performs any other duties assigned, adaptable to the changing needs of the organization and the Veterans served. Evaluates own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means. Other Significant Responsibilities The Social Worker participates in committee assignments, discipline specific meetings and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager. May participates in a rotation of on-call Social Workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends. May provides supervision to a Social Work Intern or be generally involved with the MSW training program. The incumbent is also responsible to the Social Work Executive for professional practice issues. The incumbent is expected to participate in professional activities with his/her respective discipline and when needed. Consults with the Social Work Executive regarding discipline specific concerns. Work Schedule: 8AM-4:30PM, M-F Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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: (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. 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 Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

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: Girolamo Tavolante
• Phone: (315) 863-2853
• Email: [email protected]