This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Incumbent performs specialized treatment in the area of mental health by providing short term comprehensive case management in conjunction with the primary mental health team in order eliminate or reduce factors that lead to recent self-directed violence. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of identified high-risk Veterans who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems. The SPCM must be sensitive to the ethnic and cultural diversity and age-specific challenges across the spectrum of Veterans served and adjust intervention and treatment plans as appropriate. The incumbent works independently and collaboratively with other treatment team members, professionals, nonprofessionals, and others at the VA Medical Center and community agencies to assist Veterans in managing their mental health problems, psychosocial needs, barriers to treatment and mitigating risk factors related to suicide. Crisis intervention and Mental Health Assessments for the National Veterans Crisis line The incumbent's primary responsibility is to provide short term telephone crisis intervention which includes assessment, facilitation and referral for callers seeking services and/or treatment through the National Crisis Hotline within a 24-hour period. The incumbent evaluates the veteran's situation in order to determine imminent risk to self or others and implement appropriate follow up to include but not limited to wellness checks and/or arranging hospitalization. The incumbent may also act as a broker to facilitate other services for the veteran or family regarding access to care both within the VA and community. Must be able to effectively use professional skills, objectivity, and insight. In cases of antagonistic, indifferent, or evasive veterans and their significant others, deals constructively with both positive and negative reactions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Telework: Regular Telework 1-2 days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker (Suicide Prevention Case Manager)/56653F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185 Veterans Health Administration Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, typing, and carrying light items. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the are is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Sandra Conner
• Email: [email protected]