Social Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Social Worker for HUD-VASH in the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

The incumbent will be assigned to a HUD-VASH team at one of the facility locations and will perform bio/psycho/social assessments and case management for Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Applicants must have a CSWE-accredited MSW, be licensed to practice in the state, and be able to work with diverse Veterans and families.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Licensure/certification to independently practice social work in the state.
• Education verification as required by VA policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bio/psycho/social assessments and case management for Veterans.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and community partners.
• Provide counseling and connect Veterans to housing and supportive services.
• Frequent travel to community settings as required.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Assessments

Community resources

Education

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

Job description

Summary

The position is located within the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System within the Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS). The incumbent will be assigned to one of the facilities locations where a HUD-VASH team is based.

Summary

The position is located within the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System within the Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS). The incumbent will be assigned to one of the facilities locations where a HUD-VASH team is based.

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 obtain English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 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).Preferred Experience: Experience working in a healthcare setting is highly preferred.Grade Determinations: Social Worker - GS-09 (1) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• (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
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker - GS-11 (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) 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 - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience working in a medical and/or mental health setting is highly preferred
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - PART II - APPENDIX G39
• SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARDGS-0185.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 11.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent is an unlicensed entry level Social Worker assigned to the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
• Under supervision of a licensed clinician - the Social Worker's primary assignment is to provide direct services conducting bio/psycho/ social assessments and case management of previously homeless Veterans who are now residing in these communities
• Under the supervision of a licensed clinician - the Social Worker duties include working with a multidisciplinary team and interacting with Veterans - family members - significant others - community agencies - VA - and non-VA healthcare providers in addressing Veteran homelessness
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday-Friday - 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: Ad hoc may be available after 90-days Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking
• standing
• hearing (aid permitted)
• Frequent travel into the community is required for this position.