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

SATP is a comprehensive treatment clinic dedicated to treating substance use disorders. We provide residential, intensive outpatient, outpatient and harm reduction levels of care. We work with Veterans on the engagement process utilizing motivational interviewing skills. Our primary goal is to provide a safe and inclusive environment where veterans can develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make changes consistent with their personal goals and values. Our clinic is made of a multi-disciplinary team which includes medical prescribers, mental health therapists, nursing staff, chaplain services, and recreational therapists. We offer evidence-based group and individual treatments for substance use disorders as well as other common dual diagnoses such as PTSD and Chronic Pain. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Develop an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others. Provides goal planning, evaluation, and intervention with serious and complicated, highly diverse cases involving substance abuse and psychiatric illness. He/she demonstrates an understanding of current techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, psychiatric conditions, environmental needs, and age associated illnesses and conditions. Develops or contributes to the development of the mental health treatment plan and then setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and/or family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. The social worker provides consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Complete documentation in compliance with appropriate documentation standards. The social worker consistently maintains an acceptable level of productivity per guidelines which may include special assignments. 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 with appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker related to mental health issues, or the team's evaluation. Use current social work resources and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. The social worker will refer the Veteran to needed services. Make rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for various types of crises including housing and financial emergencies, psychiatric relapse, potential suicide, and other high-risk behaviors/situations. Provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Wills and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member/VA provider for identified health education needs. Review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths, limitations and needs of each Veteran being referred for mental health services. He/she will establish and maintain regular liaison with care providers to Veterans in local community agencies and facilities (hospitals, clinic, etc) for the purpose of coordinated care, when indicated. Provide Veterans with psychosocial treatment psychotherapy. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling psychiatric illness (es), onset of a catastrophic illness and to promote psychiatric wellness. Under close supervision, the social worker has the ability to provide psychotherapy to individuals and families as well group therapy. Under close supervision, the social worker has knowledge and experience in providing at least one evidence-based therapy. Provide comprehensive case management services. These services include, but are not limited to, assistance with housing, income and benefits, community programs/services and VA programs and/or will provide placement assistance to ensure the Veteran's care needs are being met. Participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Information added into the electronic record will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff using appropriate formats and templates. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm Telework: Available on ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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

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: 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. 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. 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: GS-9 Social Worker: 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 GS-11 Social Worker: 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 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 aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Shayna Lewis
• Phone: 918-577-3080
• Email: [email protected]