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

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties Provide individualized and comprehensive case management, clinical services, and crisis intervention to Veterans deemed at an increased risk for suicide while working under clinical supervision. Review consults for consideration of Patient Record Flag for High Risk for Suicide and manage the facility's high-risk flags for suicide. Assess and treat complicated psychosocial problems of identified high-risk Veterans who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems while working under clinical supervision. Is sensitive to the ethnic and cultural diversity and age-specific challenges across the spectrum of Veterans served and adjusts intervention and treatment plans as appropriate. Documents and updates comprehensive suicide risk evaluations, suicide prevention safety plans, referrals for Mental Health treatment, and follow-up notes including treatment plan updates. Ensures that notes have an appropriate expected co-signer. Assess Veterans' psychosocial and environmental needs which might contribute to the risk of suicide and other adverse outcomes. Utilize clinical supervision as appropriate. Conducts risk assessments utilizing standardized Risk ID screening and evaluation tools (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation) to assess for risk. Initiates clinical contact with Veterans placed on the high-risk list, in accordance with current national guidelines, and ensure Suicide Prevention Safety Plans are developed. Monitors and/or initiates monthly contact for Veterans placed on the high-risk list for suicide following current national guidelines. Assists Veterans in identifying resources and services at VA medical centers and other community agencies for medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, vocational and other services consistent with Veteran's goals associated with healthful independent living. Refers Veterans to appropriate VA and other government/community services. Responds to Veteran's Crisis Hotline and internal facility calls/messages regarding suicidal Veterans. Receives and completes consults requesting services or support from interdisciplinary team members and from other mental health professionals on complex, difficult cases, using clinical supervision appropriately. Assists as needed with Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health-Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACH VET) program-related treatment planning reviews and outreach. Assists Veterans who encounter problems obtaining services from the VA and other service delivery agencies through advocacy, linking, and/or by assisting with their problem solving/social interaction skills. Work collaboratively with other treatment team members, professionals, non-professionals, and others a VASLCHCS and community agencies to assist Veterans in managing their mental health problems, psychosocial needs, barriers to treatment and mitigating risk factors related to suicide. Develops and implement ongoing communication with providers, Veterans, families, and members of the community around risk factors and warning signs for suicide and treatment options. Educates providers about high-risk Veterans on their caseload and required next steps. Provides VA SAVE training to students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines. Participates in Suicide Prevention outreach events both at the facility and within the community. Provide referrals for evidence-based treatment to high-risk Veterans (i.e., Advanced Safety Planning, Brief CBT for suicidality, DBT). Utilizes clinical supervision, professional skill, objectivity, insight, clinical training, and experience to interpret data and identify viable treatment options and recognizing potential high-risk factors, acuity, and needs for services. Documents psychosocial assessments, treatment, progress notes, follow up and referral as appropriate for treatment planning and coordination of care. Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60223-0,60224-0 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 & 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: Must be proficient in spoken & written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Must 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 that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. To verify your degree meets the accreditation standards go to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social work positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed/certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found athttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure/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-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed/certified at the time of appointment must become licensed/certified at the independent, master's level within 3 years of their appointment. Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation on 09/10/2019 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series & grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification that are part of the basic occupation requirements. Employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to & including the full performance journey level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to 09/10/2019 may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification that meet all of the basic requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If employees retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status & must meet all VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Drivers License: A valid drivers license is required as this position requires local travel to provide community-based care to Veterans through the use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, & Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans & family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, & other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning & needs of Veterans & their family members, & to formulate & implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, & assistance needed Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, & groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment & skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships & communicate with clients, staff, & representatives of community agencies Fundamental knowledge of medical & mental health diagnoses, disabilities, & treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, & traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications & their effects/side effects; & medical terminology Social Worker, GS-11 Experience & Licensure: 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) & licensure/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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): 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 & other governmental agencies for services, & ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments & treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational & other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical & mental health diagnoses, disabilities & treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic & traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications & their effects/side effects, & medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, & groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, & social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, & other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients & the impact of psychosocial problems on health care & compliance with treatment. Preferred Experience: Qualitied candidates should have one or more years of clinical social work experience that includes case management and/or providing mental health care to Veterans. Experience with suicide risk assessment and safety planning is strongly encouraged. References: Former VA Handbook 5005: 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: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or others. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

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 VA Salt Lake City Health Care System 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]