The incumbent is assigned as a Social Worker in Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), who works at the interface between primary care and mental health care 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 illnesses, and substance use disorders (SUD).
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-185 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/. 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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 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. 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 in the Primary Care clinics located 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, 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 (100%): Routinely provides curbside consultations with Primary Care Providers and other PACT Team Members about plan of care for patients and provides feedback in a timely manner. Treatment modalities include counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups and other evidence-based treatments, especially those targeted at addressing suicidal ideation. Conduct 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 is agreeable to, and teaching a new skill or strategy with which the Veteran can leave the clinic. Application of principles of population-based care (defines role and identifies problems rapidly) most of encounters are 20-30 minutes. Conduct routine brief assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI, etc.). Conduct brief behavioral health interventions (e.g., 1-6 sessions for chronic, grief, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety) that are problem-focused and solution oriented. Development of competency in brief, evidence-based treatment modalities such as Problem Solving Training; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia, chronic pain, and other disorders; and Motivational Interviewing. Use of time-limited, evidence-based, interventions that are simple and concrete. Development of appropriate treatment goals in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the PC and/or SM teams. Intermittent inter-visit patient contacts to bolster treatment outcomes. Coordination of community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs (e.g., Whole Health), other government programs (Vet Center) and community agency programs. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS (10%) Participates in scheduling, triaging, and monitoring the flow of patients in the PC-MHI, including BHL. Contributes to interdisciplinary care planning conferences and team huddles/meetings. Possesses general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pension, etc. Participates in service/facility meetings. Shares knowledge and experiences gained from own clinical practice and education relevant to the field of Social Workers. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 91619-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized