The Salem Veterans Affairs Health Care System is recruiting Social Workers assigned to the Social Work Service at the Lynchburg, Virginia Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) The incumbent provides mental health/substance abuse services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Salem VA Health Care System.

Duties

DUTIES: Social Worker The Mental Health Social Worker will provide mental health services at the Lynchburg Community Based Outpatient Clinic which is within the Salem VA Health Care System and is assigned to the Social Work Service. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans referred for mental health services. The incumbent completes thorough psychosocial assessments and diagnostic interviews as part of the consult process when the Veteran is initially referred for mental health or substance abuse services. Other social work services include short- term, solution focused counseling and/or psychotherapy with individuals and families who may be in crisis, supportive counseling, and referral for resources and benefits. Clinical Duties include, but are not limited to: Completes thorough psychosocial assessments and diagnostic interviews to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families. The incumbent must be able to utilize this assessment in facilitating the Veteran's maximum use of treatment for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practicable. Responsible for contributing to the development of the patient centered treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran, family members/significant others and other outpatient mental health clinical staff. Assesses crisis situations, formulates crisis plans, provides crisis interventions and follow up intervention services, developing individualized treatment plans, with particular regard for addressing situations related to harm to self or others. Assists in arranging involuntary/voluntary admissions as needed. Maintains general knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families and facilitates referrals based upon Veterans' needs and eligibility. Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services. When appropriate and feasible, the Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning, compliance with treatment, and discharge planning. Social Worker Administrative Duties include, but are not limited to: Enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates and in accordance with Medical Center standards. Collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Attend all appropriate staff meetings. Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment incentive $10,000 3yr service agreement Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

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. 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid. English Language Proficiency. Social Workers 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: GS11 Experience: 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. 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, the candidate 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. Licensure: GS-11: Must have a license or certification in a state at the independent practice level. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. The Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or others.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Kera Madden
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2770
• Email: [email protected]