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The Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Social Work Care Manager is administratively within the Mental Health Service Line, with primary assignment to outpatient mental health. The social worker functions as part of interdisciplinary mental health teams to assist in the delivery of evidence-based care for mental health patients. This position is primarily located at the Uptown Division of the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. Basic Requirements: Qualifications: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work. Licensure: Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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-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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate 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. Assignments: This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks, or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years of experience as a licensed Social Worker (LMSW, LISW, LCSW) working with active duty/Veteran clientele, mental health patients and interdisciplinary teams. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019. Physical Requirements: The work requires the social worker to be mobile throughout the medical center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderately heavy). The social worker should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment, wheelchairs, and patient stretcher. ["This is an extended announcement; applicants will be reviewed and referred on a bi-weekly basis; the announcement will remain open until the positions are filled. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides care coordination (including care management or case management) to Veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. This includes communication within and across care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Conducts biopsychosocial assessments to determine care coordination and treatment needs of Veterans. Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools), community resources, Advance Directives and VA benefits. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote care continuity. Acts as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members. Serves as liaison between VA and community resources, to include education and bidirectional communication that promotes seamless care. Provides wellness/prevention education and may facilitate patient/family educational/bridging supportive sessions as appropriate. Though not a core function of this position, there may be times when the incumbent may provide individual, family and group counseling as appropriate. Documents interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care. Maintains familiarity and share responsibility with other team members for performance measures relevant to the BHIP team. Performs other BHIP-related duties as directed by the Supervisor, such as, but not limited to: training/mentoring and oversight of new staff & those not yet clinically licensed, and preparing for and training staff on CARF & The Joint Commission standards and accreditation process. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am -4:30pm Telework: Available to highly qualified applicants on an AD-HOC basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:PD509-51972F, PD51972F, and PD509-51972F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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