Senior Social Worker

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. 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 4 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized 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: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Experience Requirement: You must possess at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Examples of specialized experience 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; maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Applicable experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Strong history of psychotherapy experience with experience delivering cognitive, behavioral, or cognitive-behavioral interventions and a history of working specifically with patients with a high risk of suicide. 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-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. The VISN Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program Social Worker position is a VISN-based position located in VISN 4. As part of a Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program team, the incumbent is expected to possess strong clinical skills to provide treatment for mental health disorders among Veterans at risk of suicide.

• The incumbent must demonstrate a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complex factors related to suicidality. The incumbent must have at least 3 years of independent practice as a mental health provider and a strong background in delivering evidence-based therapies and interventions. The incumbent should demonstrate a clear understanding of cognitive, behavioral, or cognitive-behavioral approaches to care, with demonstrable experience providing these therapies. Additionally, the incumbent should demonstrate a significant level of confidence in working with those at high risk for death by suicide. When a Veteran is referred, the incumbent thoroughly reviews the medical record and prior psychosocial assessments and consults with the referring provider as needed. Maintains a high level of skill and expertise to establish and sustain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Independently work with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complex medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems in the context of suicide risk. Completes a current psychosocial assessment to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans after a thorough review of the medical record. Completes all reporting requirements set forth by SPP and CRH. Participates as a member of a Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program treatment team and actively collaborates with Veterans and family members, as well as other interdisciplinary treatment team members, including but not limited to Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists, Social Workers, RNs, Peer Support Specialists, and Administrative Support staff, to develop and implement a treatment plan. Possesses knowledge of current literature and experience with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses, as well as suicide risk assessment and intervention. Facilitates enrollment and discharge planning by collaborating with Veterans, their families, and interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate plans are implemented in a timely manner. Serves as a liaison between Veterans and their families and VA and community resources to ensure the effective delivery of suicide-prevention services. Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families on community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs, and advance directives. Provides consultation to other treatment team members and staff on the psychosocial needs of Veterans and their families, particularly regarding suicide risk and the impact of identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning, treatment adherence, and discharge planning. Must provide emergency/crisis intervention services to patients experiencing acute psychological crises by helping to stabilize these individuals, providing evidence-based suicide-prevention psychotherapies, assisting with referral arrangements for transfer to a psychiatric facility for inpatient care (taking into account local demands), if necessary, and providing follow-up care as needed, all within the context of active treatment with you as the provider. Other duties as required. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday Telework: This position is remote. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Senior Social Worker Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized