The Battle Creek VA Medical Center's Psychology Service is hiring a Social Worker to serve on the Substance use Disorder Clinical Team (SUD-C). This position provides a broad range of intervention therapies, including educational, individual, group, and family or couple's therapies. Assignment is primarily to the SUD-C but may also extend to MH RRTP programming.
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. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). b. 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 tohttp://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. c. 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/. (3) 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. e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. f. 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 (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-9grade 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR (2) 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: 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. Reference: VA Qualification Standards https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0185-SocialWorker.pdf
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties of this position include but are not limited to: Participates in the admission/screening process by interviewing patients and their families and completing intake data collection with purpose of establishing treatment for SUD and related psychiatric disorders. This may include obtaining psychosocial history, maintaining data sheets, completing high risk screens, and developing discharge planning assessments. Continually monitors progress in treatment using Measurement Based Care principles. Participates in or facilitates selected evidence-based psychotherapies related to the treatment of SUD, conducts individual, group, and family counseling, and other social work privileged functions dependently or under supervision as professional license dictates. May conduct psychoeducational activities following professionally prepared resource guides. Functions as a primary manager (therapist) for a number of patients on a prescribed caseload of SUD patients. This includes preparation and implementation of treatment plans (using the MH Suite software) developed in concert with the incumbent's multidisciplinary team. Acts as a liaison between staff, patient, and other stakeholders in the development and review of treatment plans. Participates in periodic review of ongoing treatment of patients under the care of the SUD-C team. Provides ongoing documentation of patient's progress using a behavioral framework using SOAP format where S-subjective input, O-behavioral observation, clinical assessment, P-collaborative plan. Help patients (1) adjust to current living situation, (2) explore areas of deficit in activities of daily living, (3) provide and/or arrange skill building educational activities (4) explore areas of psychosocial conflicts or trauma seeking resolution or psychological stability by using a "Recovery Model" based approach. Use supportive/facilitative techniques with patients and their families to help them better communicate with each other and, when necessary, help confront problem behaviors. Acts as a resource and liaison person to public and private providers and agencies to assure continuity of care and appropriate referrals for patients and their families as levels of care change. Conducts or assists in carrying out planned QA studies or research projects. The incumbent will document social work interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing CPRS and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of patient care. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.