The Senior Social Worker is assigned to the Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) Clinic within the Behavioral Health Care Line (BHCL). The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the consult triage and disposition process of all BHCL consults. The Senior Social Worker works with a team of Consult Champions, clinical staff, to triage the consult requests, provide 24-hour triage assessment when indicated, and ensure consults are directed to the most appropriate Outpatient Behavioral Health program.
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). Licensure: Candidate must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to, management of complex patient care. The incumbent represents the Behavioral Health Care Line as a POC for behavioral health care. Serves as an advisor to program/division managers, facility leadership and other medical center staff concerning BHCL consults and access to care. Leads and coordinates services provided by Consult Champions and provides administrative, technical, and clinical oversight necessary for accomplishing the work. Provides feedback, advice, and counsel to clinicians related to patient issues and/or documentation and program requirements. Interpret and implement the philosophy and goals of the Behavioral health Care Line and the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic to others in the work setting; functions within established guidelines and demonstrates the ability to work effectively and develop sound relationships with patients, other caregivers, professional staff and supportive personnel who provide patient care. Establishes and maintains effective channels of communication with numerous and varied programs including Community Care. The Senior Social Worker independently identifies high risk patients and coordinates care. Has a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnosis, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common mental health medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. General knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. This Senior Social Worker may also serve as a consultant to the team of psychiatrist, primary care physicians and nursing staff regarding new patient admissions into the clinic. Incumbent coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, like VBA and DOD, and community agency programs. As a member of the interdisciplinary clinical staff assigned to the Behavioral Health Outpatient Division, the individual conducts work activity independently using his/her educational training, clinical experience, VA policies, and "The Joint Commission" standards in administering direct services: psychosocial assessment of patient/family needs in relation to the provision of interdisciplinary treatment planning and service delivery; individual, group, and family counseling and casework services for the purpose of addressing identified needs. The incumbent will be expected to allocate a minimum of 20% of his/her time to direct patient care activities. Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by the VHA. This Senior Social Worker will assume OMH Program responsibility for Quality Improvement Processes, to include those related to access to care within Albuquerque, all CBOC/CCBOC clinics within our catchment area. Ensures consult team and RCT maintain compliance with performance measures and national standards. Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding behavioral health needs of Veterans. Ability to evaluate incumbents' own practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational means. Incumbent communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Participates and supports Behavioral Health Outpatient Division program development and participates in development of social work practice. Works with OMH Leadership, facility Social Work Leadership, and BHCL Leadership on national requirements, social work practice requirements, as well as accreditation standards set by The Joint Commission and CARF. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized