Social Worker
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Description: Department Of Veterans Affairs is employing Social Worker right now, this occupation will be delegated in Virginia. More complete informations about this occupation opportunity please give attention to these descriptions. Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 931427
To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan"! - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.
NOTE : The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidateÂ's education and experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will be placed in that specific grade . The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
One full time Senior Social Worker (Homeless Hous! ing First) GS-0185-12 position is currently available in the M! ental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service. The normal tour of duty is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There may be some instances where the incumbent would be required to work after 4:30 p.m., or have the flexibility to work outside the normal tour of duty. Salary is determined by the Professional Standards Board based on education, qualifications, experience, and credentials. This announcement is open to all qualified U.S. Citizens. More than one applicant may be hired from this announcement. First consideration will be given to permanent VAMC Hampton employees.
Introduction. To provide Mental Health Psychotherapy Social Work services to the veteran population in Homeless Programs at the Hampton VA Medical Center and other VA community based outpatient clinics aligned with the medical center. Services include provision of high quality clinical treatment for family, individual, and group therapy, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appr! opriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the client. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team. MH Social worker may serve as the Team lead for the interdisciplinary team and will be responsible for the development of the Mental Health program within the Homeless program including having direct responsibility for administrative reports.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship
Full unrestricted Licensure, Certification, or Registration required.
Must pass pre-employment examination.
Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
Background and/or Security Investigation required.
English Language Proficiency required. DUTIES:
Duties and Responsibilities : Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Psychotherapy - Social worker will conduct individual, family, and group therapy on an intensive outpa! tient basis in order to deliver the needed services to the veteran. Pri! mary focus of therapy will be related to mental health disorders, adjustment issues, marital and family concerns, substance abuse disorders and dual diagnosis disorders. The purpose of therapy is to increase level of functioning for the veteran with the goal of maintaining housing and prevention of return to homelessness. The Advance Practice social worker will utilize evidence based therapies when appropriate to the population.
Screening/Assessment - The social worker will develop an assessment of the veteran 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 veteranÂ's functional status, formulate a diagnosis, and lay the foundation for the treatment plan, if necessary. The incumbent d emonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills ! needed for psychotherapy for all adult patients. The incumbent must have an understanding of the factors and causes of mental health issue as well as the problems related to homelessness. The incumbent must have the knowledge to accurately diagnose mental health disorders and the different types of substance abuse and dependence. The incumbent will be able to utilize assessment tools and assessment methods in order to best serve the veteran. It is the responsibility of the social worker, working within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. The initial assessment and ongoing mental health treatment will be completed as specified by the policy for the assigned work area.
Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for developing the treatment plan, and setting achievable and measurable treatment goals with the veteran/family. The treatment plan will take into account the vete! ranÂ's strengths and weaknesses. The incumbent will factor in the bio-p! sycho-social needs of the veteran. The treatment plan will be completed by the patientÂ's third visit for mental health services. The plan will be updated as defined by policy depending on the services utilized by the veteran.
Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteranÂ's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteranÂ's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. These include, but are not limited to, referrals to psychiatrists, residential and dual diagnosis treatment facilities, and any other available community resources that are deemed appropriate through patient assessment and reassessment.
Advocacy - Social ! worker 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, social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
Crisis Intervention - Social worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for evaluation for admission to in patient psychiatry, residential and dual disorder inpatient programs and detoxification services. Social worker 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, social worker will assess the veteranÂ's needs, and the appropriate placement will be made in accordance with policy and procedure.
Education/Health promotion and prevention - Social worker provides education related to V! A and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will! and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate service provider for identified health education needs.
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services - The Social worker will review the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for Homeless Mental Health services. The social worker will work with other disciplines in order to coordinate the most effective care that can be provided. Social worker will educate the veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred option.
Content development- Social Worker will develop content for individual, family, and group therapy in order to obtain goals and objectives. Content will be open for supervisory review in keeping with accepted professional standards.
Discharge planning and aftercare- Social worker works with vet! eran in identifying community based self-help groups and other resources to continue substance abuse recovery. Social worker coordinates with the Homeless SUD specialist to provide veteran with continued group support as patientÂ's level of care decreases. Social worker makes referrals to Grant & Per Diem social worker, Homeless program coordinator social worker, and other services providers to ensure continued functioning.
Administrative responsibilities - The social worker will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to insure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis. The social worker will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Social W! orker will attend all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary tre! atment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, Homeless staff meetings, other committees as appropriate, etc.) and perform other duties as required. The social worker will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Social worker will participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Social worker will complete all administrative or treatment projects assigned by the HUD VASH Coordinator, Social Work Executive and /or Chief of Mental Health and Behavior Services. The Social Worker will be the lead of the Homeless Mental Health treatment team and be responsible for the collection of data and reports as developed and deemed integral to the program in collaboration with the Social work Executive and Chief of Mental Health
Performs other directly related duties as assigned.
Physical demands
The work is primarily sedentary. The job requires sitting, bending, walking, standing and carrying light items such as charts, books, etc. Position requires a current drivers license and an ability to operate an automobile. It is expected that the employee will spend time in the community outreach and networking. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Qualifications: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must:
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.
Education. Have a masterÂ's degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (C! SWE). 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 masterÂ's degree in social work.
Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masterÂ's degree level. Licensure for this position is at the Advanced Practice level.
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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.
Experience, Education and Licensure. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator or manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level. Their experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating pr! ogressively more professional competency.
In addition, the candidate must RESPOND to the professional KSAs below:
In-depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
Knowledge and skill in management/administration, which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate assigned program area(s).
Ability to provide training, orientation, consultation and guidance within clinical specialization of practice.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
References : VA Handbook 5005 at http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc (also available in the loc! al Human Resources Office).
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Edu! cation must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: (Failure to comply may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after appointment)
- Applicants must meet any physical, languag! e, license or degree requirements.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States, and be at least 16 years of age as of the closing date.
- Applicants tentatively selected for certain designated positions may be subject to a random drug screening for illegal drug use. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment.
- New Appointees will be subject to a background investigation to determine suitability. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service system or are exempt for having to do so under Selective Service law.
- Applicants must not be listed on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General Sanctions database.
- Applicants selected for positions through this announcement may be subject to a one year probationary period.
- Public Law 95-201 requires that persons appointed to direct pati! ent-care positions must possess the required basic proficiency in spoke! n and written English. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
BENEFITS:
Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/be! nefits.asp . OTHER INFORMATION:
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Telework is not authorized.
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If you were eligible to this occupation, please give us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department Of Veterans Affairs.
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This occupation will be opened on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 04:02:14 GMT