The SATP Social Worker will provide mental health services to assigned Veteran patients enrolled in the Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) within the Columbia VA Health Care System. This includes high quality case management, clinical assessment and treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies as needed by the patient.

Duties

The SATP SW will function as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. The incumbent will actively participate in patient assessment and treatment planning, and provision of a full range of clinical treatment and services to all assigned Veteran patients enrolled in SATP. Specific duties include: a. Develops an extensive psychosocial assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status. This will be accomplished through the use of structured assessments and clinical interview. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including those with co-morbidities such as severe/chronic mental illness, PTSD, medical/health-related problems, physical limitations, and other psychological needs. As a substance abuse professional, the incumbent will be skilled in administering clinical assessment tools such as the SLUMS as a part of the overall SATP assessment and evaluation process. b. It is the responsibility of the incumbent, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team, to assist in developing a treatment plan with the Veteran based on this assessment and to determine the most effective treatment method/s consistent with the Veteran's overall needs. c. The treatment plan will contain measurable, achievable treatment goals. The treatment plan will be completed within the timeline prescribed by Mental Health Services and SATP policy and procedures. d. Employs a vast array of clinical skills and services as needed to accomplish treatment objectives outlined within the patient's SATP treatment plan. The 2 incumbent will be equipped to utilize various clinical treatment modalities including case management, patient/family education, and other advanced clinical treatment approaches as required. Assesses patients' learning needs regarding their substance abuse, as well as other problems including substance abuse, psychiatric and medical disorders, and will incorporate a teaching plan into the overall plans for treatment. The incumbent will conduct individual and family therapy and will facilitate weekly Consult Intervention Groups. The incumbent will be able to provide immediate intervention for substance abuse patients as needed and will provide assistance with Veteran patients in need of DETOX screening. e. The SATP SW will assist in the successful completion and tracking of performance measures and/or other outcome measures related to substance use treatment as deemed necessary. f. The SATP SW is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. The incumbent has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, the incumbent will follow the protocol of the mental health clinic at the Columbia VA Health Care System. g. Documents all patient care assessments, interventions and treatment progress in CPRS in a timely and professional manner consistent with Joint Commission, Mental Health guidelines, and facility policies/procedures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Subject to Change based on the need of the Service Telework: 1-2 Day/PP Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/09/2024. 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. 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Mental Health Social Worker GS-0185-11 (a) Experience, Education and Licensure. Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires 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) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 2c. OR, in addition to meeting basic requirements, 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 KSAs in subparagraph (b) below (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. 3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture. 4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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. 5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. 6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure. 7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements. 8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. 9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA. References: VA Handbook 5005/50, Part II, Appendix G39, SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated February 2012, and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day to day activities.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Eric Taylor
• Phone: 2547600712
• Email: [email protected]