Social Worker (Mental Health) ICMHRS

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Social Worker for the VA Medical Center in Alabama. The role emphasizes developing treatment plans with veterans and families, conducting psychosocial assessments, and coordinating care with VA/community resources.

Licensure at the master’s level is required for independent practice. The position supports Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) participation, with potential loan repayment and a flexible review process.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship and English proficiency requirements.
• Licensure or certification in state to independently practice social work at the master’s level.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development of the treatment plan and SMART goals with veteran and family.
• Provide psychosocial assessments and plan interventions.
• Coordinate services with VA and community resources; refer veterans as needed.
• Educate veterans and families about available services and support recovery goals.
• Advocate for veterans and ensure appropriate referrals and discharge planning.

Skills

Counseling skills

Psychosocial assessment

Crisis intervention

Client communication

Education

Master's degree in social work

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• 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 tohttp://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
• 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 (Entry Level)(1) 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 (Full Performance Level (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
• 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
• (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 - 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 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/
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The Social Worker is responsible for contributing to the development of the treatment plan and setting SMART treatment goals with the veteran - family members/caregiver and other indicated stakeholders within the medical center
• The initial treatment planning/goal setting session and/or review/update plans will be completed as specified by the policy for the assigned work area
• Consultation and / or Referral to service providers - Throughout the course of treatment - the Social Worker may serve as a subject matter expert 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 family members/caregivers of the available services and opportunities which will enhance the Veteran's quality of life and overall recovery journey - assisting them to establish appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker
• Resource Usage/Development - The Social Worker is responsible for using relevant and appropriate Social Work resources both internal to the VA and / or within community programs that will enhance the Veteran's quality of life and overall recovery journey
• The Social Worker will refer the veteran to services as needed
• Advocacy - The Social Worker understands the complexity of bureaucracy and the impact it may have on the veteran and family members / caregiver
• The Social Worker will serve as an advocate when it is in the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver and will empower them when appropriate through education and support to advocate on their own behalf
• Ultimately the veteran and family members / caregiver will benefit from the reinforcement of a sense of independence and self determination of how to enhance quality of life and community reintegration supporting the overall recovery journey
• Crisis Intervention -The Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans - particularly for admission to mental health inpatient programs if indicated
• The Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources designed to meet the demands of emergent crisis
• In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency - staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective mental health clinic and the Central Alabama VA Medical Center (CAVHCS)
• Utilize individual - family and group therapies and educational programs to provide psychosocial treatment and evaluation with documentation
• Target population encompasses a wide variety of individuals and families from various socioeconomic - cultural - ethnic - educational - and other diversified backgrounds
• Participate in team staffing regarding patient selection - determination of treatment plans and goals - progress evaluations - discharge planning - and aftercare
• Promote appropriate treatment - rehabilitation - and discharge of patients - consistent with program goals and with the individual treatment plans
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm may very based on Agency needs
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS63258F & FS63263F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized