The Domiciliary Social Worker provides services to Veterans in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at the Bonham Domiciliary and is involved in screenings, psychosocial assessments, treatment plan development and maintenance, discharge planning, case management/treatment coordination, advocacy, education and coordination linkages with the appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies as needed by current residents participating in the Domiciliary Programs. 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 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. Grade Determinations: 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. 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. Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, Including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Preferred Experience: 1+years of Case Management 1+years of Psychoeducation 1+years of Crisis Intervention 1+years of assessment and clinical documentation 1+years of direct adult Mental Health and/or Substance Use interventions References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light Lifting and Carrying under 15 pounds; Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Screening/Assessment Complete structured psychosocial assessments for Veterans in the Domiciliary for Veterans within identified timelines; typically within twenty-four to fortyeight hours of admission. Review medical records and assessments completed by others, obtain missing information and determine the appropriate interventions in conjunction with the Veteran. Work collaboratively with the Veteran, taking into consideration the Veteran's self-determination, when presenting options for the Veteran's presented needs, when the incumbent presents VA and community-based referral options. Treatment/Care Planning Responsible for the development of an appropriate treatment - plan for Veterans written in behavioral terms with measurable objectives and concrete interventions. Update the treatment plan in accordance with timelines identified by VA policy. Attend interdisciplinary care planning meetings. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate multiple expressions of symptoms to determine diagnosis and appropriate treatment modality for the Veteran, the Veteran's family, caregiver and/or significant other. Provide supportive counseling to include conflict resolution, anger management and effective/healthy coping skills. Referral to Service Providers Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs for VA services, programs and benefits, as well as community services, programs and benefits. Meet with Veterans, individually to educate the Veteran and as appropriate Veteran's family, caregiver, and/or significant other about available services, as well as assisting with obtaining needed services and establishing appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference. Resource Development Responsible for development of a resource file of VA and community-based social service programs. Maintain knowledge about Veteran VA entitlements, benefits and services, especially those-relating to special programs, service connected compensation and non-service connected pension. Advocacy Act as an advocate for the Veteran and as appropriate the Veteran's family, caregiver and/or significant other. Advocate for resources to assist the Veterans in meeting his/her needs. Crisis Intervention Knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health terminology, diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. Cognizant of acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses and injuries; common medications and their effects and side effects; and medical terminology. Patient Education/Health Promotion and Prevention Provide education related to the Veteran's VA entitlements, eligibility, services and programs, as well as community resources for medical- and mental health needs. Refer the Veteran and as appropriate Veteran's family, caregiver and significant other to the appropriate program interdisciplinary team members, VA services or programs, or external programs for identified education needs. Coordination of Non-Institutional and Institutional Services Responsible for the coordination of referrals and consults for VA services and community-based services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team Supportive Counseling/Education While under supervision, provide psychotherapy to individual Veterans, Veterans attending group therapy or Veterans requesting marital/family therapy using only evidence-based modalities. Administrative Responsibilities Document in the Veteran's medical record effectively, timely, and in accordance with DRRTP Service standards, medical center policies, the requirements of accreditation agencies, and Supervisory Social Worker. Complete appropriate clinical reminders and capture all caseload-activity. Maintain templates, surveys, instruments, and materials for proper coordination of the different services available via the Domiciliary. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm OR 8:30 am - 5:00 pm OR 9:00am - 5:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
