The principal role of the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Outpatient Psychotherapist is to provide psychotherapy services for veterans receiving care in the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) General Mental Health (GMH), as part of a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Home Team which utilizes elements of recovery. The position is located in GMH of BHS at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Spokane, WA.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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). 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 to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. TRANSCRIPTS W/ CONFER DATE REQUIRED 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 to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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. 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: 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. 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. TRANSCRIPTS W/ CONFER DATE REQUIRED Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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, 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with veterans 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: light lifting (under 15 lbs), use of fingers, ability to see computer screen, hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent follows VACO guidelines and community best-practice standards of care in providing mental health treatment to Veteran patients. Functions include: Provide a variety of direct psychological treatment services addressing the complex psychosocial issues faced by the Veteran patients served in outpatient GMH/BHIP setting. These direct services include, but are not limited to: intake assessment, treatment plan development and implementation, treatment interventions (such as individual, family, couple, or small group therapy, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, case management, education, advocacy), shared decision-making and support group development and leadership. Provide a variety of assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services within outpatient GMH program setting. Assists Veterans in crisis, in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team, Mental Health Clinic, other BHS programs, Emergency Department, and others. Facilitates referrals for patients in crisis, when indicated. Maintain a caseload of patients. Serve as an active member of a BHIP treatment team that develops, implements, evaluates, and updates individualized treatment plans for identified Veterans seeking care through various BHS outpatient programs. Provide occasional coverage for other areas of activity within BHS or coverage while other staff is on leave. Record clinical information in the patient's medical record according to prescribed standards. Collect and maintain required statistical information. Participate on a variety of service and facility committees, task groups, or special projects groups as assigned by Supervisor or BHS Chief. May provide training opportunities and either direct or indirect supervision of graduate Social Work or Mental Health Counselor students or other related human services students as directed by the Supervisor or BHS Chief. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and/or Oracle to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Maintain tracking system for special projects, and ongoing data requirements. Attend appropriate educational programs, seminars, etc. Participation in an evidence-based psychotherapy training sponsored by the VA will be expected, as will completion of the consultation requirements. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 (negotiable upon selection) Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Ad-hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized