CAREER CENTER

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. 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. 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. 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. 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/Education: The candidate must have 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. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-0185, Veterans Health Administration, dated September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: Hearing (aid permitted) required. Moderate lifting, light lifting, moderate carrying, light carrying, reaching over the shoulders, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending, operation of motor vehicles, ability for rapid coordination of muscles, far vision correctable to 20/20. ["Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Tour of duty subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Telework: Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required A relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. The position is assigned to the VA Northern California Health Care System Behavioral Health Intensive Care Unit (BHICU) program and functions as a part of an interdisciplinary team. Social Work Services are carried out in full accordance with specific program goals and broad objectives of the VA health care system. The incumbent of the position, using advanced and specialized knowledge, will specifically address urgent mental health needs of Veterans, incorporating complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnosis within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice and developing plans to address areas of concern. Duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of mental health issues receiving care in the BHICU, including services for patients with complex psychopathology and psychosocial needs requiring advanced diagnostic and intervention skills. Assesses crisis situations, formulates crisis plans, provides crisis interventions, developing individualized treatment plans and safety plans. Provides advanced psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation on the unit. Provides consultation to other providers about assessment findings and treatment plans for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative and integrated. Act independently as the facility's expert witness or facilitator for all court hearings related to involuntary psychiatric detainment in compliance with relevant California statutes. Provides consultation to providers for Veterans presenting to Emergency Department with acute psychiatric needs, including performing 5150 admissions as well as voluntary admissions when indicated. Screens 100 percent of admitted patients to their team or program as a member of an interdisciplinary team, identifying those with biopsychosocial problems or high risk situations needing intervention and resolution. Develops, monitors and implements a comprehensive biopsychosocial treatment discharge plan, communicating with appropriate inpatient team members. Proactively addresses discharge needs, assisting Veteran, family and interdisciplinary team in selecting appropriate discharge options and assists with organization of plan to assure that needed elements are present, and completed in a timely fashion to prevent delay in discharge. Provides coverage when necessary for additional teams. Accepts referrals from interdisciplinary VA staff, from concerned individuals, and from Veterans and their families, providing social work services to Veterans receiving psychiatric inpatient services. Coordinates community based services including information and referral for additional services from VA programs, government program and community agencies. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Communicates directly with NCHCS Suicide Prevention Team to address need for High Risk Flag assignments prior to discharge from the unit. Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program, service line and medical center level. Attends regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to a specialized patient population. Provides consultation and supervision to social work trainees and unlicensed staff as indicated. Performs other duties as assigned."]

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