The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center serves over 61,000 patients, 13 clinics, extended care programs and a 50 bed Domiciliary. The Domiciliary Rehabilitation Residential Treatment Program (DRRTP) offers coordinated, integrated psychosocial rehabilitative and restorative behavioral health care in a residential milieu. The Social Worker Employment Specialist working at the DRRTP provides vocational rehabilitation and other social work services to Veteran program participants in the DRRTP.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties of the Social Worker are to include, but not limited to: Screening/Assessment - In conjunction with the interdisciplinary DRRTP staff, the SWES conducts a vocationally-oriented psychosocial assessment with the Veteran in order to facilitate his or her access to the appropriate VA and community vocational rehabilitation and employment resources. The SWES coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate vocational rehabilitation goals, objectives and time frames for achieving those goals. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - From screening/assessment information, the SWES Social Worker determines realistic vocational goals and objectives with the Veteran, including such factors as a) the appropriate type of vocational intervention, b) work readiness and motivation (expectations), c) supportive services d) transportation options/barriers. Referral to service providers - To optimize the Veteran's access to the right level of vocational service at the right time, the SWES coordinates with various resources to locate services and employment opportunities in the community. Resource Usage/Development - As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans through both VA and the community, the SWES will monitor patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's vocational development. Additionally, the SWES assists in community-based job development for DRRTP Veterans, with an understanding of the need for of marketing and working creatively with community employers. The SWES maintains awareness of job and small business opportunities and maintains day-to-day contact with potential employers, placement personnel, or other likely placement resources. Advocacy - The SWES will advocate for Veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the Veteran of his or her choices in complex decisions and by guiding the veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the SWES Social Worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the Veteran. When appropriate and feasible, the SWES Social Worker will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, fostering independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention - The SWES will assess and intervene in crises presented by the Veteran and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises Education/Health promotion and prevention - The SWES will provide education about VA and community resources, entitlement programs, VA benefits and Advance Directives/Living, completing the advanced directive or living will as requested. The SWES Social Worker will refer DRRTP Veterans to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Vocational Counseling - Using knowledge of the principles, theoretical concepts and practice of vocational rehabilitation, the SWES Social Worker works to conduct rapid engagement with the DRRTP Veteran (i.e, engaging in conversations about work, and introducing the idea of returning to work activities). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Day shift (variable start time available ranging from 7:30am- 8:30am), No Weekends/Holidays Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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. Indiana requires Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 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 appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment 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: Social Worker, GS-9 (Graduate) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate, in their resume, all of the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) 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. Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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 nonVA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR Additional 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate, in their resume, 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. Preferred Experience: expertise in evidence-based psychotherapy References: VA Handbook 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 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 9 to GS 11. Physical Requirements: The work of the social worker is community based with moderate physical activity. The incumbent must be able to operate a government vehicle several hours each day, walk up to a mile at a time, climb 2 to 3 flights of stairs at a time, and lift small objects . The incumbent must be capable of using a computer given all clinical charting is electronic.

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 Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 West Tenth Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 US
• Name: Eric DeRue
• Phone: 317-282-9795
• Email: [email protected]