The Social Worker in Integrated Care (IC) works at the interface between primary care (PC) and/or specialty medicine (SM) in an integrated care model. The position is assigned to the Mental Health Service and requires extensive work with Veterans diagnosed with medical conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders (SUD). This position also requires advanced training in the management of crisis situations.
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. 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. 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 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. 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 within 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: 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: Work is primarily performed in an office setting at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Work is mostly sedentary; however, the incumbent must follow appropriate safety procedures as there will be some periods of walking and may involve light lifting, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. May be exposed to infected patients and/or contaminated materials and will be required to take appropriate safety and protective measures.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited, to: Clinical Functions Routinely provides curbside consultations with PC and/or SM providers and other members of the medical treatment team about plan of care for patients and provides feedback in a timely manner. Completes functional assessments based on 20-30-minute appointments to determine how the presenting problem is impacting the patient's functioning, what level of care is appropriate, what services the patient agreeable to, and teaching a new skill or strategy with which the Veteran can leave the clinic. Triage appropriately and efficiently to specialty mental health services. Applies principles of population-based care (defines role and identifies problems rapidly), most of encounters 20-30 minutes. Routine brief measurement based care (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI, etc.). Available for same-day warm-handoffs of PC and/or SM patients. Brief behavioral health interventions (e.g., 1-6 sessions for chronic, grief, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety) that are problem-focused and solution oriented. Administrative Functions Adheres to, supports, and contributes to the development of operational policies and procedures of the PC and/or SM clinics, IC, MHS and the Medical Center. Executes ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement of IC to monitor the effectiveness, which is reported to the Integrated Care Program Manager. Facilitates liaisons with other health care providers and/or programs to effectively coordinate services. Is aware of, monitors, and complies with national and local guidelines and performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Contributes to interdisciplinary care planning conferences and team huddles/meetings. Serves on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility, VISN, and/or VA Central Office levels. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm 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: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93230-0 and 93231-0