The incumbent is responsible for providing a variety of interventions for Veterans referred in the Emergency Department (ED). These services include bio-psycho-social- spiritual assessments, assessing social determinants of health, crisis intervention, short-term treatment planning, and brief solution focused interventions aimed at stabilizing the patient and the family during the current crisis, and discharge care planning if applicable.

Duties

Major duties include: Works collaboratively with medicine, mental health, and specialty services in planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating the social work services needed to further the mission of the Emergency Department in providing exceptional health care to improve the health and wellbeing of the Veterans served by SAVAHCS. Works with diverse population of patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and or psychosocial problems and is responsible to identify appropriate interventions, treatment planning and resource referrals. Provides case management services to Veterans and their families during episodes of care tandem with other health professionals and programs both internal and external to SAVAHCS. This includes functioning as a contact with community agencies, hospitals, health care facilities, city and county governments, providing general information and consultation about VA Benefits, eligibility for healthcare, and the SAVAHCS system. Conducting bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessments, social determinants of health screens, safety risk assessments, discharge care planning and coordination of treatment services for Veteran in crisis/ acute care settings. Provides short-term, brief counseling, patient centered solution focused counseling with Veterans and/or their families. Conducts training for staff, students and community providers as assigned or required. Communicates clearly and timely to their supervisor or leadership of apprised problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager or Chief of Social Work. Develops, adapts, and directs social work services to meet the changing needs of the Emergency Department social work at the SAVAHCS. Identifies existing barriers to Veterans accessing care and address through leadership channels and High Reliability Organizational structures reporting and potential process improvements. Documents all social work interventions and activities in the patient's clinical record Establishes and maintains effective professional working relationships with patients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Work Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday, 7:00am to 5:30pm; Wednesday - Saturday. 7:00am to 5:30pm; or Friday - Monday, 9:00pm to 7:30am. Works some week-ends and holidays as needed (pay advantages include night differential for regularly scheduled night work between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am, as well as premium pay for service between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday). Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not available 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

Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work. Licensure. Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Preferred Experience: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and experience in crisis work preferred Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-11 Experience/Education: Candidates must possess at least 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 a Doctoral degree. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate the following KSA's 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. Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. Additional information regarding the assignments at the full performance level can be found in the appendix referenced above. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Cherie Mennel
• Phone: 520-792-1450 X6213
• Email: [email protected]