This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/18/2022. 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-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 on the OHRM website. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. Grade Requirements: 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 GS-09 experience are 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. 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. Additionally, you will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Please make sure that each is addressed in your application package. 1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some bending, walking and stooping required. The position requires the employee to work in a variety of settings including patient homes and community settings. This may require the employee to walk on uneven surfaces. The position requires the ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading computer screens, the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safety and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff, and the ability to meet visual requirements to operate a motor vehicle. Considerable walking and stair climbing may be required. A valid Driver's License and driving ability is necessary. Driving is a requirement to provide services as needed to the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. This is usually once or twice a month, but may be required more, as needed. The work may also require assisting disabled Veterans. 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-11 to GS-11. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The Social Worker is the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialist for SSVF and the Heath Care for Homeless Programs. This position provides case management and intervention support to SSVF in a team oriented, recovery-based program. The SUD Specialist supports the SSVF Program by providing continuity of care between Homeless Programs through services to Veterans with SUDs. The incumbent provides on-going substance use case management and early treatment interventions to promote sustained stability and abstinence while receiving SSVF services and post discharge until transitioned to another care manager as needed. These Veterans are frequently homeless due to their SUD activities, so providing SUD treatment support and early intervention promotes recovery, improved quality of life and successful permanent housing. These Veterans are frequently also diagnosed with co-occurring mental health, physical health and social problems that require particular skill in early intervention and crisis management. The incumbent must be able to develop appropriate professional relationships with the Veterans and meet the Veteran where he or she is ready to engage in treatment. The incumbent also will need to develop liaison relationships with more acute treatment providers/ programs, such as an Intensive Outpatient Program. The incumbent will provide appropriate group and individual case management and treatment. Duties are but not limited to: Provides direct SUD services for SSVF Grantees Provides Outreach services for SSVF Grantees Provides training for other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team in areas related to SUD assessment, anger management, and life skills and SUD with co-occurring disorders. Independently conducts intake and needs assessment of homeless Veterans and their significant others. Identifies symptoms leading to clinical diagnoses of SUD. Provides all necessary assessment functions, e.g. interviewing, psychosocial histories, and SUD assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans. Develops comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran that address the factors that contributed to homelessness, including SUD and other co-occurring factors within a recovery model framework. Works with the Veteran to realize the Veteran's treatment goals and reassesses and revises goals as indicated by the Veteran's engagement in treat Organizes and conducts individual and group case management and SUD treatment, to include early interventions and supportive follow-up to ensure stability in home visits and facility-based contacts. Provides SUD support to the SSVF Grantee as a functional member of this team, to include consultation, interventions, or accompanying other case managers on home visits, when indicated by suspicion of SSVF participant SUD use. Will serve as a member of a multidisciplinary homeless program treatment team. Will develop partnerships with community agencies, especially those serving homeless and SUD Veterans, with regular contact and communication. Will provide liaison services with other programs referring homeless Veterans to SSVF to ensure continuity of care and promote successful transition of Veterans from one program to another. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday through Friday)\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 91654-0, Social Worker (Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Substance Use Disorder (SUD))\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Ashley Flowers, Ashely.flowers1@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]