The Social Worker Case Manager works within Social Work Service and provides case management services to Veterans receiving skilled and rehabilitation care in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Raymond G. Murphy Hospital. The incumbent provides services that include provision of assessment, discharge planning, and high quality case management, clinical psychosocial interventions, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers as needed upon discharge.
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. Licensure. Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. **Exception - For assignments at the GS-9 level, VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. 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: GS-09 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. Candidate must demonstrate 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 procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. GS-11 Experience/Education: Candidates must possess at least 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; or a Doctoral degree. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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. 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). 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent is a professional social worker whose duties and responsibilities center on the care management of Veterans in the Community Living Center. Must assess and treat the complicated psychosocial problems of Veterans as they transition from the Community Living Center to appropriate placement alternatives. Care management responsibilities include the management, coordination, and provision of social work and supportive services to Veterans and/or their families. Is a member of an interdisciplinary team and is primarily responsible for assessment and, completion of the psychosocial assessment as well as completion of the psychosocial portion of the interdisciplinary care plan and minimum data set (MDS). Responsible for active participation in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, cultural transformation, and resident centered care planning. Works under supervision with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems. Maintains knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments and develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the multidisciplinary treatment team. Possesses the knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities which may consist of individual, group, or family counseling; financial and vocational planning; case management; education; and accessing and using community resources. Works closely with CLC providers, acute care providers and staff, and the Performance Improvement Committee to enhance service quality and to ensure compliance with VHA directives. Formulates and documents an initial discharge plan based upon the Veteran's medical needs, psychosocial assessment, and Veteran's preferences. Assesses the need for access to adaptive equipment and services to mediate the effect of physical, psychological, and social capability deficits. Participates in monthly Resident Council Meetings. Assists the Recreation Therapist in facilitation of the meetings and is responsible for maintaining a log of meeting attendees and happenings. Identifies high-risk patients and provides crisis intervention services, coordinates family conferences, and serves as a liaison to family members. Monitors and provides Suicide Risk Assessments for patients at risk for suicide and works with the Suicide Prevention Coordinator as needed. Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families and works with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medial, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling and therapy skills. Serves as a liaison with public and private health care agencies and community organizations and groups for providing information and education regarding programs and services. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized