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.
Responsibilities
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Social Worker independently provides clinical psychosocial and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible Veterans and their family members, to address biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs. Veterans treated are primarily from the John J. Pershing catchment area. Their health care and psychosocial needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem solving. Services are provided at the John J. Pershing VAMC and in the community. The incumbent interacts not only with patients, but also family members, significant others, community agencies, and other staff. Social Worker GS-0185-11 A. Interviews Clients and Conducts Psychosocial Assessments: Interviews Veterans and their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact on functioning and health as part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. Interprets and explains VA treatment and benefit programs. Reviews and evaluates data, subjective and objective, to identify needs and strengths, using advanced clinical skill and insight. B. Makes Psychosocial Diagnoses: Independently evaluates the client's situation and response to stressors, and arrives at reasoned conclusions. Uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make psychosocial diagnoses and assess at-risk factors, developing preliminary disposition plans with the Veteran and significant others. Performs insightful assessments of serious and complicated cases, including those involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, and other high-risk diagnoses. Makes independent professional recommendations for agency action, recognizing the serious consequences to the Veteran. C. Plans Effective Treatment: Develops psychosocial treatment plans in coordination with interdisciplinary team members and sets clinical goals. Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA resources and referrals, based on initial assessment and likelihood of acceptance. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team regarding courses of treatment. Coordinates screening of patients for specific mental health programs and provides ongoing treatment per guidelines. Makes decisions that may have significant impact on the Veteran's life, such as long-term placement or separation from family, drawing on advanced practice skills and professional judgment. D. Implements Treatment: Provides clinical services to Veterans and family members/significant others in support of treatment. Offers advice, guidance, emotional support, and counseling services, including psychotherapy when appropriate. Assists Veterans in problem-solving, evaluates situations realistically, explores alternatives, and utilizes resources for resolution. Organizes community services and develops/coordinates procedures for use by related staff. Maintains a productive network of referral resources and makes provisions for additional services. Applies professional judgment and advanced practice skills in daily interactions with Veterans, particularly those with complex situations and histories of noncompliance. E. Evaluation, Education, Supervision, Coaching, and Mentoring Establishes ongoing relationships with Veterans, evaluates progress, and updates treatment plans. Documents psychosocial assessments, diagnostics, treatment, progress notes, follow-up, and referral in the medical record (paper/electronic). Explains treatment and progress to stakeholders as appropriate. Manages quality control and evaluates the effectiveness of services provided. Devises methods and evaluates data to determine treatment effectiveness. Directs and coordinates clinical and psychosocial services, ensuring overall effectiveness and modifying services to best meet Veterans' needs. Coordinates Social Work services with other treatment program offerings to ensure complementarity and comprehensiveness. Provides case management services to Veterans at high social or medical risk, serving as liaison to other programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Bargaining Unit: Yes Telework: Adhoc Telework Only as Needed.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may 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. Possess 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. For grades below or at the full performance 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 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Licensure. Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. GS-11: Must have two years postgraduate experience and be Licensed at the Advanced Practice Level (LCSW). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Reference: 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: This position is mostly sedentary and requires walking, kneeling, bending, standing, and light lifting.
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.