The Clinical Social worker provides Mental Health Service to the veteran population enrolled at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center including provision of case management, individual and group therapy, clinical treatment, crisis intervention, advocacy, discharge planning and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies, as needed by the client.
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. 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. 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: Social Worker, GS-11 Level 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39The 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-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Implements measures to assess effectiveness of existing and proposed treatment programs and modalities, to ensure that the highest standards are met. Administratively responsible for the STAR/SARRTP program operations. Develops policies and procedures for program operations, and prepare reports and statistics for the facility, VISN, and national use. Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education to staff and student interns. Tracks service activities including sessions, referrals, patient demographics, equipment utilization and SUD patient satisfaction. Coordinates SARRTP admissions and aftercare for the 10 bed RRTP and the SUD outpatient program. Provides administration with briefings of critical incidents. Completes all patient safety reporting requirements are completed in a timely fashion. -Coordinates VA Inter-Facility and CITC SUD admissions. Advising and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on all SUD related issues. Provides analysis and evaluation of SUD clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. Oversee program operations, program evaluation, identifying areas for improvement, gathering relevant data, assessing the data, developing and implementing ideas for improvement and evaluating efficacy of improvement efforts. Collaborates with members of the Mental Health/Behavioral Medicine (MH/BM) Service within STAR/SARRTP, and with in-patient and/or out-patient clinicians/departments to ensure continuity of care and services. Is familiar with community support groups to ensure that the Veteran receives the support to successfully recover. Provides outreach services to community as needed. Work as a liaison between the VA and community agencies. Actively participates in VA sponsored trainings and education on issues impacting substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, sharing that knowledge through trainings when requested by the Social Work and MH/BM leadership. Plays an active role in working with recovering veterans to coordinate a viable and successful program of treatment. Assures STAR and SARRTP programs are in compliance with all Joint Commission (JACHO) and CARF standards. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning, and assessment of various programs. This includes assuring compliance with all performance measures and implementing required action plans. Participates in treatment planning, bed management, making recommendations to ensure a beneficial outcome to veteran recovery. Provides individual, group, and/or family sessions in accordance with scope of practice clinical directive. Completes and/or addresses MH Performance Measures/Reminders. These may include, but are not limited to Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Continuity, Waiting Times, Access, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), tobacco counseling, and Patient Satisfaction Surveys as appropriate to assigned. Complies with agreed-upon minimum standards for documentation when writing/recording in medical records. This includes, but is not limited to assessments, treatment plans, transfer progress notes, discharge summaries, and performance measures/reminders as assigned. Assumes Field Instructor responsibilities for Associated Health Trainee Students placed in the STAR or SARRTP programs. Reports immediately, or as soon as practicable to the Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPCs), information --received regarding completed suicides and/or suicide attempts. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP: Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized