Social Worker (Clinical)

Summary

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled clinical social worker with experience supporting medically and/or psychiatrically complex patients in an inpatient hospital setting. The candidate has experience conducting psychosocial assessments, developing, and coordinating safe discharge plans, providing crisis intervention and psychotherapy, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and addressing the psychosocial needs of patients and their families.

Responsibilities

Performing a range of conventional screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment, consultative, and educational services to assigned segment of Clinical Center patients, caregivers, and staff.

Completing psychosocial assessment of patients and caregivers in order to identify those factors which have a bearing on his/her ability to cope with stress and the requirements of the research protocols.

Communicating with community agencies regarding the needs of the patient and his/her caregivers, and arrange for the needed services they can provide.

Identifying gaps in service and make recommendations in order to maximize patient care and to implement the treatment goals.

Developing a working knowledge of state and local bureaucracies in order to assist patients make optimal use of local resources.

Identifying financial needs of patients and caregivers during hospital stays and participates in determining resources available for assistance, consistent with the goal of maximizing adjustment to research protocols.

Consulting with other Clinical Center Departments, in addition to assigned organizational segment, on specific case referrals.

Qualifications

Education Qualification Requirement for GS-11/12: In order to qualify for a Social Worker, GS-0185 position, you must have a Master's Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Additional Qualifications Requirements for the GS-11: A. In addition, in order to qualify for a Social Worker-GS-0185, at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: 1.) Independently completing bio/psycho/social/spiritual assessments of patients in a hospital setting to identify patient needs and determine an appropriate course of action; 2.) identifying and coordinating appropriate clinical and community resources to address patients' and families' medical, psychosocial, and financial needs; 3.) establishing and facilitating communication among patients, families, and multidisciplinary medical or research staff regarding treatment and patient care needs; 4.) developing, coordinating, and implementing medical and/or mental health discharge plans to address patients' treatment, psychosocial, post-acute, and continuing care needs, and 5.) documenting social work assessments, clinical interventions, discharge planning activities, referrals, resource coordination, and other patient care activities in the medical record. OR B. Completion of three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field. OR C. A combination of post-graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Additional Qualifications Requirements for the GS-12: In addition, in order to qualify for a Social Worker-GS-0185, at the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1.) Independently completing comprehensive bio/psycho/social/spiritual assessments of patients with complex medical and/or psychiatric conditions in a hospital setting to identify factors affecting treatment, recovery, and research participation; 2.) independently developing and implementing treatment and discharge plans for patients with complex medical and/or psychiatric conditions based on assessment of psychological, social, and medical factors; 3.) evaluating complex psychosocial and behavioral concerns and providing recommendations to multidisciplinary medical or research teams regarding patient treatment and research participation; 4.) providing crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, psychotherapy, and other advanced clinical interventions to patients and families experiencing acute, chronic, or terminal illness; and 5.) providing consultation, education, and clinical guidance to medical and interdisciplinary teams regarding the psychosocial, behavioral, and economic aspects of illness and their impact on treatment and discharge planning. Selective Factor(s): In order to meet minimum qualification requirements you must demonstrate possession of the selective factor(s) of this position. Selective factor(s) include(s): You must possess a current, valid, unrestricted independent Clinical Social Work License (i.e., LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, etc.) from a licensing board in the United States including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purpoes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098749

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.