Provide social work services to the Veteran population being served by the SWS in the Community Nursing Home Program, Adult Day Health Care Program, and other areas as required by SWS. Services include provision of high-quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the patient. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Independently implement treatment modalities, identify level of functioning, degree of impairment in occupational, social, academic, interpersonal, and family, evaluate and assess lethality, perform mental status exams (MSE), identify psychiatric manifestations of various medical conditions, possess knowledge of the criteria and state laws for legal commitment an involuntary hospitalizations, counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. Medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures in working with diverse populations and circumstances. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, psychiatric, medical and social problems, common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. Determine the presenting problem, determine factors impacting the problem, and determine obstacles to treatment and/or follow through with recommended treatments. Social work case management coordination with members of the treatment team is required, in order to ensure a collaborative effort to meet the treatment goals for a Veteran. The incumbent must have a high level of skill and expertise to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their families. Independently complete thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the mental health diagnosis, psychosocial functioning and needs of the Veterans and/or their families. Must be able to utilize this assessment in developing and implementing a comprehensive treatment plan for attainment of the highest level of independence that is possible and practical. Actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through collaboration with Veterans and families, in the development and implementation of social work treatment goals and interventions. Facilitates action for community placements through partnership with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team in a timely manner. Community placements can involve but are not limited to referrals to home health services, contract nursing homes, Community Living Centers, residential care homes, and inpatient and outpatient hospice services. Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives. Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning and compliance with treatment. Will work to ensure he/she is considered an expert on Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Possess skills and knowledge to provide case management services to Veterans and their families throughout the continuum of care. He/she must possess and demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. He/she is responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and the facility. Mindful of keeping their supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility, Consult with their supervisor as needed and with colleagues to develop knowledge and apply agency policies and practices, Document social work interventions and activities in the Veteran's clinical record utilizing CPRS, in accordance with facility policy, and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of patient care, Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of software applications for drafting documents and data management as well as other computer systems in use by the VHA, Maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Social Work standards, Long Term Care Institute standards, and facility standards. Obtain contracting officer representative (COR) certification to act as an alternate COR for the CNH/ADHC programs. Serve as subject matter expert on CNH/ADHC programs. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Hold 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-09 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. Candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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 or Education: Must possess 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). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals. - OR - Possess a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work. GS-11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the licensure and experience or education for the GS-11 level, must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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: Long-term care, geriatrics and extended care, home or community visits Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: Physical demands of the work include sitting, standing, walking, standing, driving, pushing equipment and wheelchairs, lifting, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self- awareness and emotional intelligence is essential. The incumbent must have a current, valid Driver's License and be able to drive a government vehicle.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: David Tweedy
• Phone: 520-312-5779
• Email: [email protected]