Senior Social Worker - Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Social Worker at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs serves on the interdisciplinary Home Based Primary Care team within Geriatrics and Extended Care, delivering expert psychosocial interventions and case management for veterans with complex medical, social, and behavioral needs.

Applicants may be referred while still meeting education or licensure requirements; licensure and English proficiency are required; a master's in social work from CSWE-accredited school is mandatory;

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from CSWE-accredited school.
• Licensure or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Education

Master's degree in social work (CSWE-accredited)

Job description

The Senior Social Worker serves as a core member of the interdisciplinary Home Based Primary Care treatment team which is a specialized program under the administration of Geriatrics and Extended Care. The Senior Social Worker works independently and without access to social work supervision to provide expert level psychosocial interventions and case management services to veterans with complex medical, social and behavioral conditions in which routine clinic-based care is not effective.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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/.

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

Supervisory Social Worker, GS-12

Education and Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.

Licensure/Certification

Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines.(b) Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.(c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services.(d) Ability to provide staff training and development.(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.

Preferred Experience

Home Based Primary Care, PACT and/or Home Care experience.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

This vacancy is being announced above the full performance level at a GS-12.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands of the work are generally minor, as the position requires sitting, standing, and walking. Some travel is required as the incumbent is required to conduct monthly in person supervision at different sites of care and community outreach which may require traveling long distances. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with high-risk for suicide veteran population and their families. A high level of self-awareness is essential. Work, divided between office and clinical settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer.