Social Worker (Inpatient Medicine)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Wade Park Division seeks a Social Worker to provide coverage for acute inpatient general medicine teams and assist absentee coverage for Medicine Service Social workers during absences.

The role involves psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, and coordination of community resources. Responsibilities include working with veterans and families, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, and delivering Advanced Directive counseling and support.

Qualifications

• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs of veterans and families (formulate treatment plans)
• Provide psychosocial assessments and discharge planning recommendations
• Coordinate community-based services and referrals
• Communicate effectively with clients, staff, and community agencies
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatments

Responsibilities

• Complete psychosocial assessments and provide discharge planning recommendations.
• Coordinate community-based services and referrals to VA programs and community agencies.
• Maintain therapeutic relationships with veterans and families and address psychosocial needs.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to plan care and determine level of care upon discharge.
• Provide Advanced Directive counseling and support for veterans and families.

Skills

Veterans-focused counseling

Psychosocial assessment

Discharge planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Crisis intervention

Education

Master's in Social Work (CSWE accredited)

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Acute Inpatient General Medicine section at the Wade Park Division and provides social work coverage for assigned medicine and hospitalist teams - and will assist in providing absentee coverage for the other Medicine Service Social workers during absences.

This position is located in the Acute Inpatient General Medicine section at the Wade Park Division and provides social work coverage for assigned medicine and hospitalist teams - and will assist in providing absentee coverage for the other Medicine Service Social workers during absences.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position - you must meet the requirements below within 30 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement. 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

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C.
• 7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000
• To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• 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 3 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/
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 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
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification
• In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations:GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• 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
• 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
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• 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
• 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
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of 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/
• VA Handbook 5005/120 - Part II - Appendix G39.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: Lifting and carrying light objects under 15 pounds - using two hands - walking for up to two hours
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination - correctable vision - hearing with or without aid - depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and emotional and mental stability
• This position requires operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle to properly carry out assigned duties
• A valid state-issued driver license is required - along with medical clearance by Employee Occupational Health.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w The position duties include - but are not limited to: Completes psychosocial assessments and provides consultation with patients/families regarding recommended discharge planning to include home care services - acute inpatient rehabilitation - long term care - or hospice
• Provides Advanced Directive counseling / information - assist veterans with completing or updating their Advanced Directive
• Incumbent functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team (IDT) to discuss the patient's medical condition - course of treatment - approximate length of stay and level of care needs upon discharge
• The incumbent will have an extensive knowledge of community resources (e.g
• PASSPORT - M.O.W. - SNFs) - and programs such as Preadmission Review / LOC screenings - Guardianship services - Adult Protective Services
• Coordinates community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from VA programs - other government programs - and community agencies
• Maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families - recognizing strengths - weaknesses and family dynamics that can impact care or discharge planning
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Not Available Functional Statement #: 95469-A (GS-9) 95470-A (GS-11) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized