The incumbent carries responsibility for crisis intervention and case management on a short- term basis in collaboration with the veteran's care provider(s) while a veteran is at high acute risk for suicide. The incumbent assesses the psychosocial and environmental needs or dysfunction secondary to or exacerbating the psychiatric problems which might contribute to the risk of suicide. 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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Education Requirement: Master of Social Work: Must possess a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Note: 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. COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. Licensure Requirement: Appointment at the GS-11 Full Performance Level: Persons hired or reassigned to full performance 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. OR Appointment at the GS-9 (Entry or Developmental 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-9 None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following 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 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, the applicant's resume 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 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: Light lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds to lift items such as books, binders, reports and records ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment : The incumbent will respond to referrals from the Veterans Crisis Line as well as other staff referrals. The incumbent will develop an assessment of veterans at high risk for suicide in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the veteran's strengths, limitations and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the veteran's functional status. It is the responsibility of the incumbent, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team, to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. Will complete or arrange for initial mental health intake assessments with patients new to VA mental health care or who have been away from mental health services for an extended period. High Risk Flag Maintenance: The incumbent is responsible for tracking the care of veterans with the Category I High Risk for Suicide Patient Record Flag assigned to their medical records. The incumbent will ensure each flag is activated, reviewed, and inactivated within the time frames designated by the National Office for Suicide Prevention. REACH VET Maintenance: The incumbent is responsible to assist in the REACH VET Coordinator in all major components of the program when requested. This includes using the dashboard to track identified patients, inform providers of their identified patients, complete required documentation in CPRS, conduct outreach attempts and transfer/receive transfer of patients in the program. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting: The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with the treatment team and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. Treatment/Therapy: The incumbent is responsible for providing appropriate short-term treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. The incumbent may see veterans to supplement or compliment current and ongoing treatment plans. Case Management: The incumbent is responsible to assess, plan, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the options and services required to meet the needs of veterans at high risk for suicide. The incumbent will work effectively on behalf of the veteran both within the VA Health Care System and outside agencies to provide cohesive and comprehensive care. Will ensure appropriate follow up on missed appointments for high-risk patients to ensure patient safety. Referral to service providers: Throughout the course of treatment the incumbent is the subject matter expert on Suicide, VA Health Care System and/or community resources. The incumbent will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. The incumbent is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development: The incumbent is responsible for using a current resource file of VA Health Care System and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans and provide the necessary referrals. Advocacy: Understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, the incumbent will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention: The incumbent is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing safety plans which may include admission to mental health inpatient programs. The incumbent has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocols of the mental health service line. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm (occasional evenings/weekends) Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
