Social Worker (Patient Aligned Care Team)

Veterans Health Administration; Effingham (IL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center seeks a Social Worker to join the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The Social Worker provides clinical services in the Primary Care Clinic at the VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including US citizenship, a CSWE-accredited MSW, and state licensure to practice social work; the VA encourages timely pursuit of licensure prerequisites and continuing professional development within a

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from CSWE-accredited program.
• Current state licensure to independently practice social work.
• United States Citizenship (citizenship requirement for federal employment).

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical social work services within PACT in the Primary Care Clinic and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
• Support Veterans and families in coping with medical and psychosocial issues and coordinate care across disciplines.

Skills

Counseling skills

Crisis intervention

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Master's degree in Social Work (CSWE accredited)

Job description

The Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center is seeking a Social Worker to serve on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The PACT Social Worker provides clinical services in the Primary Care Clinic at the VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master 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.

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.

Loss of Licensure or Certification:

Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

Grandfather Provision:

Detailed in Education section of announcement. 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: GS-09 Social Worker Experience, Education, and Licensure:

None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 proced