Social Worker

SummaryThe incumbent functions as a Suicide Prevention Case Manager (SPCM) and works in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Coordinators to provide services for patients at high risk for suicide and other adverse events - as identified by clinical criteria - the REACH VET algorithm - and patients with chronic pain conditions. The program is a bridge to care. The SPCM will work under the Mental Health Careline.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation: 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 accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification 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 workLicensure: 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 levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinationsThis exception only applies at the GS-9 grade levelFor the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certifiedEnglish 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: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet the following grade requirementsSocial Worker - GS-11: 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 levelExamples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experienceIdentifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect or exploitationproviding education on advance directives and advanced care planningproviding social work case managementacting as an patient/family member/caregiver advocate with community service providers/agenciesassessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family membersIn collaboration with the patient - family - and interdisciplinary treatment teams - identifying strengths - weaknesses - coping skills and psychosocial acuityMaintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referralsOR 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 settingAND Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAsKnowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate servicesSkill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgroundsKnowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.eacute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment planSkill 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 goalsAbility 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 treatmentReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.DutiesVA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major Duties: Respond to Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) consults - where veterans from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified backgrounds contact the crisis line with suicidal thoughts - behaviors - or other mental health and non-mental health related issuesCare coordination to assure high risk patients are engaged in treatmentSuicide Prevention Case Manager (SPCM) will meet with veterans (by phone - VVC - or in person) to assess MH care needs and provide appropriate referralsMaintains 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 treatment plansMeets with patients by appointment - as walk-ins - or by home visits as needed to assess suicide risk and mental health needsSPCM will implement crisis intervention - provide support - and otherwise respond to patient needs - as appropriateFollow up with patients discharged from the emergency department - acute care - or residential care by meeting with veterans to assess suicide risk - provide safety planning - discuss risk mitigation plans - and provide appropriate MH or non-mental health referralsAssessment of psychosocial needs (e.g. - psychotherapy or other interventions - social support - education - housing - job training - etc.) - including completion of psychosocial evaluations as neededComplete suicide safety plans - including identifying warning signs - coping strategies - lethal means restriction - resources - and sources of support for times of crisisProvide consultation to other disciplines or units providing care to veterans at high risk for suicide and coordinate with providers regarding appropriate treatment plansImplements different treatment modalities such as crisis intervention - de-escalation techniques - support - validation - problem-solving - and coping strategies to mitigate suicide risk and achieve treatment goalsCollaboration and consultation with family members and caregiversWork Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: PD21T26A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized