This Social Worker position is utilized as part of a team that supports PACT/ Primary Care functions across all outpatient clinics in NF/SG area. The regular and routine work will be completed by telephone and virtual care; however, the incumbent will need to travel to an outpatient clinic to provide in-house coverage, attend meetings and trainings, and to complete administrative tasks. The incumbent will be expected to work on site in instances when clinical demands require it.

Duties

Clinical social worker will be assigned to cover job assignments anywhere in the NFSG VHS. Work assignments are fluid based on needs of service and patients. The clinical social worker may be asked to cover patient care in person within reasonable driving distance or be asked to cover patient care for a farther location via telephone or telehealth modalities. It is important for the incumbent of this position to be very flexible and adaptable due to a changing work assignments. Work assignments may change daily or could be as long as need to cover a vacancy until that vacancy is filled. It is important for the clinical social worker to be an excellent team player with clear verbal and written communication skills. Adaptability is key as work flow will required the clinical social worker to work with various clinics, clinic leaders and staff due to changing work assignments. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Conducts psychosocial/clinical assessments of Veterans in collaboration with the Veteran, the interdisciplinary treatment team, family members, caregivers, and/or significant others in order to identify needs and formulate a plan to meet those needs. Knowledgeable of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including mental health patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Evaluate the need for Veterans to be referred for capacity exams (neuropsycholgical assessments, payee, fiduciary, etc.) through the Primary Care or Mental Health Provider. Identifies family/caregiver stressors and makes referrals to both VA and community resources to reduce caregiver burnout and support families and caregivers in providing care for Veterans. Assesses for any signs or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and follows required local policies regarding mandatory reporting and documentation. Must be knowledgeable of various mental health diagnoses and understand the diversification of the mental health within the Veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns. Screen and assess for suicide risk to provide vital access to services for Veterans who may be experiencing suicidal ideations and be in need of care. Provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, incorporating complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans and making psychosocial and/or mental health diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledgeable regarding the continuum of care provided by NFSG/VHS and is able to evaluate required level Properly document and scan records to ensure clear and accurate information regarding the Veterans' wishes are available in the electronic health record. Proactively addresses the goals of care conversations, discussing role of the surrogate, eliciting understanding of diagnosis and prognosis, eliciting patient's values, goals, providing basic information about LSTs & services, and documenting the conversation. **Travel is required via government vehicle so a valid driver's license is required for this position.** Preferred Experience: Experience using telehealth methods and virtual technology Experience in medical and mental health social work, case management, and/or care coordination Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Available - per manager policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: #52172F / Social Worker Primary Care Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date 02/09/2024 of this announcement. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be US Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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. The incumbent must be licensed or certified by a state at the independent or advanced practice level as determined by an ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Social Worker candidates must have the following: Experience and Licensure: Completion of a minimum of one (1) 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 listed above, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one (1) year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. You must attach additional transcripts to support this qualification. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. If selected, you may be required to submit narrative responses then. These are the KSA's for this position and grade level: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this position is the GS-11 grade level. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling of emotions. The work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain patients who present a danger to self or others. The work may also require assisting physically disabled Veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to the homeless population. Much of the work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled. The incumbent must be able to safely operate a government owned vehicle to be utilized in community-based work and the transport of patients. Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and pass Occupational Health screening as position will require driving a government vehicle.

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. 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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Ashley Beaver
• Phone: (814) 943-8164
• Email: [email protected]