Social Worker - PCMHI

Veterans Health Administration; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Social Worker at the GS-11 level in Michigan. This role supports psychosocial care, resource coordination, and patient advocacy within a VA medical center setting.

Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with approval through the VA Education Loan Repayment Services. Requirements include a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and state licensure to practice independently.

Qualifications

• Requires MSW from CSWE-accredited school and state licensure to practice social work.
• Education credentials may include doctoral substitution only for clinical setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and referrals for services.
• Ability to conduct psychosocial assessments and implement treatment modalities.
• Experience providing consultation to new social workers and staff is valued.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Coordinate services and refer patients to community and governmental resources.
• Provide consultation to social work staff and students, guiding psychosocial care.
• Apply knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses to support patient care.
• Ensure adherence to professional standards and ethical patient care.

Skills

Community resources referrals

Psychosocial assessments

Medical/mental health knowledge

Treatment modalities

Consultation with staff

Education

Master's degree in Social Work (CSWE accredited)

Licensed or certified to independently practice social work

Job description

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.

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.

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.

Grandfathering Provision:

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).

English Language Proficiency:

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

Grade Determinations:

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Social Worker 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.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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, educational, and other 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to read printed material, such as reading computer screens and the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around the work space safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff. Some bending and stooping is required, and frequent walking will be required throughout the medical center and CBOC locations. The incumbent must demonstrate emotional stability and mental clarity sufficient to exercise sound clinical judgement, make appropriate decisions, and provide safe, effective, and ethical patient care. The employee must be able to manage stress, regulate emotions in a professional manner, and maintain cognitive functioning adequate for assessment, treatment planning, and crisis intervention.