Summary

The position is located in the Portland metropolitan area or within one of the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The SW works within the Mental Health Division's (MHD) Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program serving as a Clinical SW. He/she/they work closely with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to provide consultation - therapeutic counseling - and mental health support for mild-to-moderate cases.

Qualifications

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.

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
• Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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 http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
• ) 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.] (a) 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
• 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
• In states such as California - Washington - and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years - social workers must become licensed at the independent - master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure
• (b) A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record
• (c) Different states have different levels of licensure or certification - making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level
• Each state - Puerto Rico - and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice
• Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services - and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards
• All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB
• Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/
• The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work
• 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: Social Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members
• (b) 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
• (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goals
• This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
• (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
• This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries
• common medications and their effects/side effects
• and medical terminology
• Social Worker - 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 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings - (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level OR - Education
• In addition to meeting basic requirements - 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgrounds
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) Ability to provide consultation services Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
• Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
• Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES A
• Screening/Assessment: The incumbent will develop an assessment of the Veteran under supervision and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team - the Veteran - family members - and significant others
• The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths - limitations - and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status
• The PCMHI assessment may include clinical interview - administration of psychiatric test instruments - and/or collateral information
• Some programs may require the use of breathalyzers and/or drug screens
• Based on the PCMHI assessment - the mental health social worker uses professional judgment and beginning practice skills to make a diagnostic assessment using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• The social worker provides goal planning - evaluation - and intervention with serious and complicated - highly diverse cases involving substance abuse and psychiatric illness
• He/she demonstrates an understanding of current techniques to the treatment of this Veteran population related to their physical limitations - psychological needs - psychiatric conditions - environmental needs - and age associated illnesses and conditions
• B
• Treatment Planning/Goal Setting The incumbent develops or contributes to the development of the mental health treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and/or family - and with the interdisciplinary treatment team
• The social worker provides consultation and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team on course of treatment
• C
• Documentation/Productivity The incumbent will complete documentation in compliance with appropriate documentation standards
• The social worker consistently maintains an acceptable level of productivity per guidelines which may include special assignments
• D
• Referral to Service Providers Throughout the course of treatment - the incumbent is the specialist on VA and/or community resources
• The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs
• The social worker is responsible for educating the Veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them with appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of their surrogate decision-maker related to mental health issues - or the team's evaluation
• E
• Resource Usage/Development The incumbent is responsible for using current social work resources and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans
• The social worker will refer the Veteran to needed services
• F
• Advocacy The incumbent understands the challenges of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and/or family
• When appropriate and feasible - the social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran and/or family to advocate on their own behalf - thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
• G
• Crisis Intervention The incumbent makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for various types of crises including housing and financial emergencies - psychiatric relapse - potential suicide - and/or other high-risk behaviors and/or situations
• The social worker will assess for suicidality and self-harm and provide appropriate intervention including but not limited to safety planning
• The social worker will assist with admission to mental health inpatient programs as needed
• The social worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis
• In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency - staff will follow the protocol of the Mental Health Division at the VAPORHCS
• I
• Coordination of Care The incumbent will review the progress notes from other providers to accurately determine the strengths - limitations - and needs of each Veteran being referred for mental health services
• He/she/they will establish and maintain regular liaison with care providers to Veterans in local community agencies and facilities (hospitals - clinic - etc.) for the purpose of coordinated care - when indicated
• The social worker will educate the Veteran - the family - and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the Veteran and family on the preferred options
• K
• Administrative Responsibilities The incumbent will participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed
• Information added into the electronic record will be entered in a complete - confidential - and professional manner
• Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized