The Social Worker in Recovery Services (RS) provides Social Work services and substance use disorder treatment at the Central Ohio VA Healthcare System in Columbus, OH. Social Work positions in RS can be assigned to the following specialized treatment services within the division: Assessment, Outpatient; Intensive Outpatient, Low Intensity Rehabilitation/Aftercare, Harm Reduction and other Medication Assisted Treatments, etc.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides Social Work services and general and specialized mental health care to patients and their families or significant others as applicable, applying knowledge of treatment for substance use disorder and mental health disorders, other clinical and social issues, group and individual therapy and family treatment methods in order to help patients improve medical, mental health and social functioning, abstain from addictive behaviors, maintain community living and limit the need for hospitalization and other intensive intervention. Provides Social Work services to patients, families and significant others as needed in order to establish linkages to resource systems. Performs independent intake interviews on patients in order to accomplish initial data gathering necessary to evaluate, recommend options and treat addictions, mental disorders and other clinical or social issues. Independently completes psychosocial assessments and Brief Addiction Monitors (BAM's) in order to formulate treatment plans defined by problems, goals, objectives and interventions. Documents in patients' medical records in accordance with Social Work, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and RS requirements in order to substantiate service activity with the patients. Fully participates in treatment team meetings in order to communicate assessment and intervention activities to multidisciplinary team members, with whom the Social Worker collaborates on the plan of care. Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet patient, family and significant other needs on the basis of appropriateness of referral and capacity to benefit from community assistance. Prepares documentation, clinical summaries, encounter forms and other statistical reports to disseminate pertinent information while adhering to VA and regulatory standards (JC, CARF) and specifically Ambulatory Care Center, BHS and RS policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintains cooperative and collaborative interdisciplinary working relationships with clinic staff and community providers in to assist with the development and execution of effective care planning. Identifies professional training needs and participates in continuing education in order to enhance skills and knowledge base. Informs supervisor of potential legal, political, or high risk incidents in order to keep management alerted to situations that may involve high level intervention. Conforms to legal and ethical codes and regulatory requirements of Social Work license, practice and conduct; adheres to VA policy and procedures; relevant Federal, State and local laws; and related Joint Commission and other accrediting or sanctioning organizations guidelines. Maintains a high level of work productivity in order to provide the most efficient and effective delivery of clinical services possible. Conducts therapeutic in-depth counseling in accordance with specific training and education and handles crisis intervention or other emergency situation with and without benefit of special instruction. Prepares written assessments based on knowledge of each patient's background and clinical history for use by members of the multidisciplinary treatment team or the therapist's use in developing the appropriate treatment process. Serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team and works with other professionals to formulate treatment and follow up plans for each patient assigned. Conducts group, family and individual therapeutic counseling sessions; observes patient behaviors and reaction patterns for use in intervention adjustment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91634-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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. 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. 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. 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. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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-09: 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: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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: 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: 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. Preferred Experience: LISW with individual and group therapy experience who has worked in the field of Substance Abuse, or at minimum at least one year in Behavior Health. References: VA Handbook 5005, part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. 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-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary. There is some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers, files, manuals and records.

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 Chalmers P Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 US
• Name: Marc Nicholas
• Email: [email protected]