This Behavioral Health Social Worker assigned to the Post 9-11 Military2VA (M2VA) Case Management Program. The primary mission of the M2VA program is to provide a seamless transition for Post 9-11 era service members and Veterans from military care to VA healthcare. The location of this position is primarily within the Buffalo VAMC, however outreach events held in the community or a VA specific site may require work at another location typically for no more than two consecutive workdays.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Clinical Functions. Incumbent is a professional social worker whose duties and responsibilities relate to the care management of severely ill and injured Post 9-11 era service members and Veterans treated at the facility. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Post 9-11 era service members and Veterans as they transition to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care. Care management responsibilities also include providing supportive services to families. In addition, the incumbent assists Post 9-11 era service members and Veterans in coping with acute illness, chronic illness, combat stress, the residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), community adjustment, addictions, and other health and mental health problems. The social worker care manager addresses home care needs, homelessness, and transition across levels and sites of care. Social work care management practice, which includes psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, is focused on helping Post 911 era service members, Veterans and their families maximize rehabilitation and treatment potential and achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive emotional and social functioning. Must have a high level of skill and expertise to work with Post 9-11 era service members, Veterans and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems. Uses the social work process (psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment) in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members to develop a care management plan and psychosocial interventions. Evaluates the need for mental health services and makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, marital, and family treatment services. Must be sensitive to the ethnic and cultural diversity and age-specific challenges of the Post 9-11 era population and adjusts intervention and treatment plans as appropriate. As a member of the health care team, participates fully in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the interdisciplinary treatment plan, including provision of care management services. Coordinates care with interdisciplinary team to promote continuity for Post 9-11 era service members, Veterans and their families. Develops and uses appropriate community resources. Serves as an advocate for Post 9-11 era service members, Veterans and their families, helping them access needed services at the facility, at other VA facilities, and in the community. Assists Post 9-11 era service members and Veterans and their families with advance directives, guardianships, and applications for home care and extended care services. Travel, as may be required, as part of providing social work care management services to Post 9-11 era service members, Veterans and their families. Such travel requires the incumbent to function without immediate supervision or consultation. Participates in the orientation, training, and teaching of social work graduate students and other trainees and staff. Conducts and participates in research and program evaluation as appropriate. Serve as a point person, source of information, and problem solver for Military Sexual Trauma related health care issues at the WNY VA HCS. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD21T03A 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. 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. Licensure: Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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-11 Grade Determinations: 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. AND 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. Preferred Experience: Case Management experience required. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is 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 Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Crystal Collier
• Email: [email protected]