Social Worker
The Behavioral Health Social Worker must have the knowledge and skills to make independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, and case management of the diagnostically diverse BHC patient population. As a member of the interdisciplinary BHC team, the Behavioral Health Social Worker must form and maintain effective working relationships with staff from the Behavioral Health Clinic, Medical, Nursing, Social Work, Rehabilitation, Chaplain, and Dietetic Services in order to provide patients with an integrated and comprehensive treatment program. Principle duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Assessment:
The incumbent independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations of Veterans and their significant others; performs a comprehensive intake assessment that satisfies Joint Commission (JC) standards and provides clinically meaningful information related to the specific cognitive - social learning treatment approach used in the BHC; reassesses and monitors the status of problematic behaviors; routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas; conducts and documents a discharge assessment that summarizes the extent to which each problem is resolved and the extent to which additional treatment is needed; and schedules and monitors specimen collection for assessment of substance abuse. Treatment:
The Behavioral Health Social Worker provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as crisis intervention. When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with Masters level training. Conducts short, medium, long-term in-depth counseling and facilitates both open-ended, process groups, and time-limited, closed, structured groups for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions. The Social Worker may also facilitate group counseling and conduct assessments for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC). Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant others. The incumbent develops and, as needed, revises treatment plans. He/she will keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence based practices. Case Management:
The role of the MHTC is to coordinate treatment activities to ensure that each patient is provided with an individualized, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to case management. Program and Staff Development:
The incumbent takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in-service programs, and medical education presentations; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral health; and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports. The incumbent is also responsible for designing and conducting group therapy sessions; recommending methods to improve the quality, quantity, and integration of treatment services. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. to 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. 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-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. 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. Grade Determinations:
Social Worker GS-11 (full performance level):
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have a minimum of one year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level OR, In addition to the basic requirements for Social Workers, 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 AND, In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below:
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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 Social Work Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Assessment:
The incumbent independently conducts intake screenings and evaluations of Veterans and their significant others; performs a comprehensive intake assessment that satisfies Joint Commission (JC) standards and provides clinically meaningful information related to the specific cognitive - social learning treatment approach used in the BHC; reassesses and monitors the status of problematic behaviors; routinely evaluates the impact that therapeutic interventions have on patient problems; assesses patients' progress toward meeting treatment goals and objectives; determines the need for additional assessment of specific problem areas; conducts and documents a discharge assessment that summarizes the extent to which each problem is resolved and the extent to which additional treatment is needed; and schedules and monitors specimen collection for assessment of substance abuse. Treatment:
The Behavioral Health Social Worker provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as crisis intervention. When providing treatment, incumbent relies on own clinical judgment to address patient problems in a fashion that is consistent with the knowledge and skills of other professional staff with Masters level training. Conducts short, medium, long-term in-depth counseling and facilitates both open-ended, process groups, and time-limited, closed, structured groups for patients with substance abuse problems, mental health problems, or co-morbid conditions. The Social Worker may also facilitate group counseling and conduct assessments for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC). Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to patients and significant others. The incumbent develops and, as needed, revises treatment plans. He/she will keep abreast of new treatment techniques and evidence based practices. Case Management:
The role of the MHTC is to coordinate treatment activities to ensure that each patient is provided with an individualized, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to case management. Program and Staff Development:
The incumbent takes a supportive role in the administrative/clinical functions of the program such as quality assurance, policy and procedure development, program planning, preparation of reports, and other duties as assigned. The incumbent actively participates in BHC committees; provides training to Medical Center and BHC staff through patient review conferences, BHC in-service programs, and medical education presentations; keeps abreast of new developments in the field of behavioral health; and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports. The incumbent is also responsible for designing and conducting group therapy sessions; recommending methods to improve the quality, quantity, and integration of treatment services. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. to 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. 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-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. 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. Grade Determinations:
Social Worker GS-11 (full performance level):
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have a minimum of one year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level OR, In addition to the basic requirements for Social Workers, 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 AND, In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below:
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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 Social Work Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.
- Department:
0185 Social Work - Salary Range:
$64,009 to $83,210 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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