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. 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

"RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED" This position can be filled either by a SW, LPMHC or MFT. The incumbent in this social work position provides primarily mental health services to the homeless veteran population enrolled in the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs to include as the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans, the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) located at 3001 C Street, Anchorage or the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Resident Program located at 932 E. 12th Avenue, 944 E. 12th Avenue and 709 N. Hoyt Street Anchorage. The duties of the Social Worker (MHRRTP) include but are not limited to: Interviews potential residents, conducts screenings and assessments, interprets VHA guidelines and eligibility requirements, and completes a psychosocial history and assessment. Develops an appropriate, individualized treatment plan for each veteran assigned to him/her. Using known available resources and the initial assessment, makes initial and continuing decisions regarding the services available and referrals needed. Decisions are based upon the employee's professional judgment with regards to the individual's rehabilitative potential and possible consequences of less controlled rehabilitative efforts. Documents the patient assessment and all treatment plans in accordance with the requirements of Mental Health Services (MHS) policy and requirements of various accrediting bodies. Provides high quality case management services to all residents enrolled in the MHRRTP where the social worker is assigned. Provides clinical services, individual and group treatment, and makes appropriate referrals both within the VA and the greater community. Highly developed professional skills are routinely used to motivate dysfunctional residents to resume more effective control of their own life in order to manage independent living upon completion of the MHRRT program. Employs individual and group treatment methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the resident work towards the best way of dealing with his/her problems. The treatment orientation of the MHRRTP is cognitive behavioral within a therapeutic community milieu. The focus is on assisting veterans to take responsibility for their recovery, behavior, and treatment in partnership with the professional staff. Establishes a continuing relationship with the resident, evaluating progress towards goals, performs follow-up after referral, and adjusts treatment plan when needed. Monitors resident's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation, including NEPEC and HOMES documentation, and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, including geriatric patients, related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age associated illnesses and conditions. Contributes to policy formulation and participates in establishing procedures within the assigned service area. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0800 - 1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increase. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off:37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Childcare Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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 Master of Social Work degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing degree earned and conferred date. 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted Social Worker license or agree to the exception for the GS09 grade 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 of 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. 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 as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure. A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Experience working in residential mental health settings. Experience working with populations with substance used disorders. Experience working with populations with housing and vocational challenges. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level): 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 the following 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. 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. 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. NOTE: For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing degree earned and conferred date. 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. NOTE: If you are claiming a Doctoral Degree, you must submit your transcripts showing degree earned and conferred date. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all 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. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II, Appendix G39 dated: September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS09 to GS11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A copy of your Official transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. It must show degree earned and date degree was conferred.

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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Hector Jebulan
• Phone: (253) 582-8440 X75538
• Email: [email protected]