The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is hiring a Social Worker to serve on the Primary Care Mental Health Integration team (PCMHI) at the Outpatient clinic in Muskegon, MI. This position will align under Psychology Service and report directly to the PCMHI Program Manager.
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. 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/. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Current employees 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 for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals 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. GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary, although the stress involved in dealing continually with patients in emotional distress, who may be uncooperative and occasionally violent, makes this job notably more demanding than most sedentary jobs.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical Functions Serves as a treatment provider conducting brief functional assessments, formulating diagnostic impressions, providing psychotherapy to patients through individual and group sessions, making referrals for aftercare and placement, and documenting services provided and the course of treatment of patients. Gathers objective psychodiagnostic information and assists in differential diagnosis. Conducts interviews; uses rating scales, questionnaires or other measurement devices; or observes the patient to assess emotional, functional or behavioral condition. Utilizes the brief functional assessment to inform Veteran-centered treatment plans in coordination with the PACT team for patients with a diverse range of ages and varying environmental factors. Plans and conducts group and individual psychotherapy, effectively utilizing various therapeutic techniques such as cognitive-behavioral, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, behavior modification, and more. Continuously monitors patient progress using Measurement-Based Care principles, determines when reassessments are appropriate, and adjusts treatment plans accordingly. Must have knowledge of the PACT team approach and the role of each health and allied health care team members as well as an understanding of the role of the PCMHI Social Worker in the PACT model Possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, substance abuse disorders, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Must utilize telehealth modalities to best meet Veteran needs. Possess basic knowledge and ability to implement treatment modalities, provide educational classes, and/or supportive groups for Veterans and families. Provide consultation and education to Veterans regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and Advance Directives. This includes the incumbent's knowledge of the process for accessing and/or coordinating community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community programs. Provide consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning and adherence with treatment. Must maintain knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies. Appropriately utilize principles of human growth and development over the life span and will be able to assist Veterans in coping with the loss and grief experiences from disability and terminal illness. Must have knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Must possess and demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. Administrative Functions Is responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and the facility. Is willing to serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor and Chiefs of Psychology and Social Work Services. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Veterans, VA employees and other stakeholders within the VA and the community. Provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced social workers and, if interested, to serve as a field instructor for social work students. Will attend all appropriate staff meetings to include, but not limited to, PCMHI team meetings, Psychology Service meetings, Social Work discipline specific meetings, and other committee and workgroups, as appropriate. Participate in activities that obtain feedback from Veterans and the workplace, in order to enhance services. Responsible for furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm