Career Center

The incumbent serves in the Mental Health Service as a social worker in the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) specialty. The incumbent will carry a caseload of MHC patients who have SUD diagnoses. They will also assist other providers to understand the SUD service options that are available, and will educate these providers on the referral process. They may participate in screening or reviewing referrals to assure the patient is accessing the appropriate services. 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: Applicants must have 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. 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 (Entry Level) Experience, Education, and Licensure: 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. In addition to the experience above, the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 (Full Performance Level) 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. In addition to the experience above, the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. 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 a range from GS-9 to GS-11. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.??????? Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Clinical Responsibilities (95% time) The incumbent provides direct therapeutic interventions including individual evidence based interventions, couples or family interventions, caregiver supportive interventions, group therapy, group psychoeducation, and case management. They provide recovery-oriented education to patients, family members, and significant others. The incumbent will respond to requests from other providers to assist their patients in accessing SUD services. May participate in the intake and screening process for the MHC, and participate in case reviews with specialty SUD services to determine appropriate referrals for some Veterans. Provides social work consultation to the patient's caregiver, provider, and other stakeholders. This includes coordinating treatment and communicating with other services to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. The incumbent develops community resources and coordinates these resources in the interest of the Veteran. The incumbent will, as appropriate, supervise the practice of social work students, or a less experienced social worker. The incumbent will participate in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the program manager. Teaching, Training/Research, and Other Duties (5% time) Incumbent provides clinical supervision and instruction for psychology postdoctoral residents, and Masters level interns and practicum students. Incumbent conducts and evaluates ongoing program quality assurance and engages in research activities including presentations, articles, etc. Further, they serve on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces. They actively participate in local, state, and national professional organizations and represent the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community group/events and committees. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm\nTelework: Ad-hoc\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]