The Social Worker in the Specialty Social Work line within Social Work Service at the Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania VA Medical Center (WB VAMC) provides social work services within the Caregiver Support Program. The incumbent will have a primary assignment within one work unit, however they may be required to provide clinical services in multiple locations of care based on clinical patient demands.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. 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/. 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) 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 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.
The incumbent in this position: Provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice. Provides the coordinator with information and analytical data to enhance the quality of services provided to caregivers, families, and veterans. Assisting the Coordinator with the development and implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. Participate in direct caregiver and veteran contacts to identify and assess caregiver stress/burden and the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions. Interviews potential clients, confirms eligibility, completes psychosocial assessment, and interprets and explains the VA's Treatment and Caregiver Support programs. Conducts psychosocial assessments, suicide risk assessments and safety planning to determine needs of veterans and family members. Provides case management including referrals and consults, and communicates with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate. Provides individual, family, and group counseling as appropriate within multiple modalities of care including in person, telephone and virtual care platforms. As appropriate, provides support and guidance to the practice of social work students. Addresses Advance Directives, Goals of Care, and other inventories or screenings as needed and in accordance with the standards of their work area. Provides wellness/prevention education and facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate. Completes Electronic Medical Record documentation, including progress notes and consultation reports within clinical professional standards before the end of the business day. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission (JC), VA, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), medical center policy and procedures. Assists patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness, and death. Participates in a rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends. Completes coverage task for other clinical areas as assigned based on clinical necessity of care for emergency contingency needs. Completes all required Talent Management System trainings within deadline standards. Maintains continued education credits to maintain State Board Issues License to Practice Social work Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required