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. 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. 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 masters of social work. 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/. Physical Requirements. This position is mostly sedentary and requires walking, kneeling, bending, standing, and light lifting. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: GS-9 Social Worker: Experience, Education and Licensure. GS-9 is the entry level grade for the GS-185 social work series and is used for social workers with less than one year of post-MSW experience and for social workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social workers at the GS-9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological), and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture. 2. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills. Work with more complex problems is done under close supervision. With guidance from the social work supervisor, ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. 3. Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and, under supervision, 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. 4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. 5. 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. 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. GS-11 Social Worker Experience, Education and Licensure. Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 2c. OR, In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. 3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture. 4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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. 5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. 6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure. 7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements. 8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means 9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA. References: VA Handbook 5005/23, Part II, Appendix G39, SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD 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-09 to 11. ["Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Yes Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required References: Please provide \"References\" with application. At a minimum two current or former supervisors or from individuals who were in a position of a professional nature. Indicated if the Hiring Manager may contact. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates care and provides ongoing case management to Veterans in HCHV contract shelters. Conducts weekly case consultation or staffing with HCHV contract shelter staff. Provides case management to Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness, and to Veterans in non-VA shelters. Coordinates care for homeless Veterans with other VA departments (medical, ER, mental health, substance abuse units, etc.). Assists in staffing the Emergency Shelter Pager to ensure same-day access for Veterans experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Follows up on and completes referrals from the National Homeless Veterans Call Center; conducts weekly outreach to drop-in centers, non-VA shelters, and known locations where homeless people congregate; maintains resources for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services team; and assists with special projects and outreach events such as the Point in Time Count and Project Homeless Connect. Plans, develops and maintains a network of relationships with community resources and other advocates for the homeless population to effectively screen and identify Veteran members of that population. Depending upon need, the HCHV Social Worker makes VA- or community-based referrals, advocates for scare resources, confirms referrals are completed and provides intensive follow-up and coordination with these agencies. Interviews potential Veteran clients. Interprets VHA guidelines and eligibility requirements. Initiates eligibility determination, and forwards to Truman VA Admissions and Eligibility Office. Conducts a basic assessment for service needs and program eligibility at the time of the first visit. When appropriate, will subsequently develop a more in-depth biopsychosocial assessment and treatment plan for each Veteran client admitted to HCHV shelter contract. Develops an appropriate treatment plan and conducts ongoing treatment plan reviews. Using known available resources and the initial assessment, makes initial and ongoing decisions regarding the services available and specific referrals needed. Decisions are based upon the HCHV Social Worker's professional judgment with regard to the individual Veteran's rehabilitative potential and possible consequences of less controlled rehabilitative efforts. Explains Veteran client's treatment and progress toward rehabilitation to third parties with jurisdiction, remaining unbiased in the presentation even though consequences are far-reaching and potentially permanent. 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. Establishes a continuing relationship with the client, evaluates progress toward goals, performs follow-up after referral, and adjusts the treatment plan when needed. Monitors Veteran client's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation, including HOMES documentation, and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment. Employs casework methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the Veteran client work toward the best way to deal with their problems. Documents the Veteran client assessment and all treatment plans in accordance with the requirements of Truman VA medical center policy and the requirements of various accrediting bodies. Will also complete documentation in accordance to the Truman VA HCHV Program policy (BHSL SOP 14-07). Provides clinical services to Veterans. Provides guidance, emotional support, case management, supportive services, and other assistance. When appropriate, refers Veterans to VA and non-VA programs for mental health, substance abuse, primary care and dental services. Makes provision for referral services to other agency organizations, community resources, or other governmental resources to resolve problems. Highly developed professional skills are routinely used to motivate dysfunctional Veterans to resume more effective control of their own lives. Contributes to policy formulation and participates in establishing procedures within the assigned service area. May be assigned supervisory responsibility for one or more student trainees. Such responsibility requires ability to provide leadership, conceptualize knowledge, and use extensive knowledge of social work practice at the agency."]

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