If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11509202-22-ER. This position is located in the Mental Health Services (MHS) Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program. The incumbent needs to be knowledgeable of mental health problems, methods of evidence-based treatment modalities, family, couple and individual dynamics, and their impact on an individual's mental health and substance use. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Applicant must 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. 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. Preferred Experience: None Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-9 Experience. None above basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology. 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. Examples of creditable experience include but not limited to 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 appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the Veteran, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the Veteran and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. 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 or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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 5005/120, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate lifting ( 15-44 pounds), light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds), walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, operation of motor vehicle, hearing (aid permitted), and mental/emotional stability. Environmental factors include working working alone and working closely with others (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Social Worker SUD Stepped Care Program in Social Work Service include but are not limited to: The Social Worker will be aligned with Mental Health Clinic Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) teams and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) to provide evidence-based treatment for Veterans outside of specialty SUD care. The incumbent performs case management services including linking Veterans with medication assisted treatments for Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) and Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). The incumbent will serve as a liaison/point of contact for SUD specialty care with general mental health and primary care practitioners as well as other hospital-based programs (i.e Emergency Department). Performs mental health evaluations for a diverse population, including geriatric and post-deployment combat Veterans, who are mentally ill and who may have psychosocial issues such as homelessness, unemployment, or a poor family support network. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including diagnostic assessments, suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, evidence-based psychotherapy, and overall care of patients with mental health disorders. Modalities for patient care include face-to-face, video teleconference, and telephone calls as clinically appropriate. Provider must be able to incorporate alternative encounter modalities into clinical care. Ensures practice of mental healthcare is consistent with TJC, CARF, HIPPA, VA policies and procedures, clinical practice guidelines, national statutes and regulations, medical record documentation, and maintain mandatory continuing education. Maintains appropriate licensing and board certifications as applicable. Participates effectively in team meetings and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to enhance coordination of comprehensive patient care. Functions as part of a psychiatric care team working with other therapists, physicians, PAs, APRNs, nurses and other support staff. Orders consultations appropriately. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings and makes appropriate treatment decisions. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. Primary responsibilities are in outpatient Substance Use Disorder and Psychiatric Services. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker - SUD Stepped Care Program/PD00244F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]