Social Worker, Mental Health

Overview

This position requires both clinical and administrative responsibilities in the Primary Aligned Care Team (PACT) and/or Specialty Outpatient Clinics. A high level of skills is required to assess and treat complicated psychosocial problems of veterans. Social Work responsibilities include assessment of psychosocial problems with solution-focused counseling with veterans and/or their family members/significant others.

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.

• 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
• Current state requirements may be found by going to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./T38
  
  Hybrid/
• (1) Exception
• 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 the GS-11 grade level and above – the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment – the supervisor – chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification – including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• 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: GS-09 – Experience, Education, and Licensure:
  None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan
• (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals
• (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies
• (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures
• Assignment:
  Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience
• Duties may include but are not limited to: identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with VA and community service providers/agencies; assessing psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members; collaborating with Veteran, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams
• Since social workers at this level are not practicing at an independent level, they should not be assigned to program areas where independent practice is required unless supervision is available
• GS-9 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision
• GS-11 Experience and Licensure: A minimum of one year of post-MSW experience relevant to health care or related settings and licensure or certification…