Social Worker- Outpatient Mental Health Substance Use Disorder

Summary

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. Program 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.

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. Program 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.
• 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.
• Education Requirement:
  Master of Social Work – must possess 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 is fully accredited.
• A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master’s degree in social work.
• Copies 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.
• OR 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 – none beyond the basic requirements.
• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities – the applicant's resume must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  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.
• 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, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, medications and their side effects, and medical terminology.
• 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…