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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: 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/. 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. Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. 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: Social Worker, GS-9: 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: (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. 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 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. 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: Day-to-day work requires light lifting (under 15 pounds), the use of fingers, walking (up to 6 hours), standing (up to 2 hours), repeated bending (up to 6 hours), operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Must be able to work with hands in water, work closely with others, and must be able to drive a government vehicle. ["The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) fastest growing service area due to infrastructure modernization, program innovation, and expansion of population served. CSP expansion puts the VHA out front of the health care industry as a health care system pioneer-caring for the caregiver. The program goal is to support caregivers in their role and promote their health and well-being through education, therapeutic engagement, and resource and service linkage. The Social Worker will adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, all local Social Work policies, and maintain an unrestricted, unsuspended license to practice Social Work. The Social Worker will function in support of caregivers, Veterans, and family members. Some of the roles and responsibilities include: Assist in day-to-day operations of the Caregiver Support Program and ensure compliance and collaboration with local facility and VA Central Office Caregiver Support Program initiatives. Know and understand services and benefits available for caregivers from federal, state, and private sector resources; and statutes, regulations, and policies that govern the program. Stay abreast of current legislation directed at assisting caregivers to continue to provide caregiving in an environment that is safe for both them and the Veteran. Comply with Service Line documentation requirements, including standards for timely completion of notes, use of required documentation templates, and risk assessment protocols. Adhere to all VA Puget Sound Health Care System and Service Line policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including risk assessment and reduction practices for potentially dangerous behavior (suicide and violence), timeliness of care and access, and professional conduct requirements. Maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of assignment and Social Work, The Joint Commission, and VA standards. Conduct peer review and other assigned audits. Complete all reports, data, and maintain reporting requirements with outcomes related to the CSP. Establish and maintain ongoing education programs for caregivers, community agencies, and staff to facilitate understanding of the CSP and the CSP interests. Serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at facility, VISN, and national level or in the community which support caregiver issues and needs. Assist coordination of events and programs for annual National Family Caregivers Month every November, CSP Summit, and other CSP supported activities. Maintain a knowledge base of current theory and treatment modalities by reading professional journals, attending conferences, clinic seminars, and teleconferences. Collaborate with the other members of the CSP team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensuring equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, and ensure the care provided is of the highest quality. Develop and facilitate caregiver support groups and educational programs and distribute educational materials provided by VA, local, state, and national caregiver organizations. Participate in direct caregiver and Veteran contacts to assess caregiver stress/burden and the development/application of directed clinical treatment interventions. Provide ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support services and issues facing Veterans, families, and their caregivers. Demonstrate skill in communication and develop positive, effective relationships with all CSP stakeholders including Veterans, caregivers, local, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. Provide referrals to VA medical and mental health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs. Serve as a consultant for navigating the complex processes caregivers, Veterans, and their families encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Participate in caregiver support activities in the local community and state to promote and recognize the role of the caregiver. Assist in coordinating events and programs for the annual National Family Caregivers Month in November, which includes announcements and advertising of month-long activities, mobilization of participants, educational sessions, caregiver recognition events, and caregiver support programs. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8am to 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinators, Stacy Hermann or Taia Henderson @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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