The Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center is recruiting for two Social Workers for the HUD/VASH Program. These Social Workers will function in Social Work Service. 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. 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/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-09 Social Worker: Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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. GS-11 Social Worker: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year experience in Medical Social Work. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: Incumbent will need to have the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination, correctable vision as required for a driver's license, hearing with or without aid, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and emotional and mental stability. The incumbent must have the use of fingers, both hands required and both legs required (including one prosthetic). The incumbent must also be able to perform walking (up to 4 hours) and must be able to negotiate multiple flights of steps. ["The Social Worker provides case management to Veterans housed with the VA Supported Housing (VASH) Program, homeless Veterans, and Veterans who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless within the assigned geographical area. The HCHV/HUD-VASH Case Manager is a professional Social Worker whose duties and responsibilities relate to the case management of the identified populations. The incumbent must use a high level of skill in assessing and coordinating services for the complicated psychosocial problems that HCHV and HUD-VASH Veterans often experience and for whom are eligible for VHA care. Other assigned duties are but are not limited to the following: Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening Veterans for psychosocial needs. Must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family, and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as a liaison to family members. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Collaborates in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact Veterans and staff, including initiating and participating in ethical consultations. Analyzes ethical/care issues, applying appropriate theoretical principles and ensures application of institutional policy. Provides considerate care, respecting Veteran/family and staff personal values and belief systems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 91186-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Brian.Huhman@va.gov & Eve.Harper@va.gov, EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]