The Emergency Department Social Worker provides Social Work services to Veterans in the ER, and also provides Social Work services to Veterans on inpatient units, when not busy in the ER. This position includes periodic on-call for evenings, weekends and holidays as assigned. Veterans treated at VAMC Martinsburg come from varied geographical and cultural areas encompassing four states. 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. NOTE: This applies to the past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) only. HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC). 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: Requires 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185 Physical Requirements: Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects, such as medical records. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting. ["As a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team in the Emergency Department (ED) and on the inpatient psychiatric unit, the Social Worker works independently and collaboratively utilizing his/her educational training, clinical training and experience, VA policies and JCAHO standards in providing direct services such as risk assessments and psychosocial assessments of patient/family, interdisciplinary treatment planning and delivery, individual, group and family therapy and casework services.\nVeterans come to our ED with a myriad of physical and emotional issues that are complex and emotionally charged, which require experienced clinical knowledge and sharp interviewing skills. The tempo in the ED is fast paced and requires competence, as the Social Worker interface with medical providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and addiction specialists. Independent judgment is needed in making sound, best practice clinical decisions.\nDuties include and are not limited to: Interviews patients and family members/significant others to assess for warning signs and risk factors for suicide or homicide, Elicits pertinent information to establish facts about the patient's psychosocial, safety and situational needs and to identify that patient's risk of hurting self or others, Gives independent clinical impressions from a bio-psycho-social perspective and makes recommendations for patient services to ED physicians, psychiatrists and nurses, Presents as the lead provider in obtaining involuntary commitments, in collaboration with state agencies, Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical, comprehensive data base assessment?? identifying strengths and weaknesses and developing an initial discharge plan, Demonstrates independent competency of client treatment options by attending educational conferences, advanced clinical training and workshops, maintaining requirements for clinical independent licensure such as CEU obtainment and renewals, professional networking, boarding, privileging and peer reviews, Demonstrates competency in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, Social Work case management interventions and techniques, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]