The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 3 full-time Social Workers for the Mental Health Integrated Care Community Service. Position locations: Fargo VA Health Care System, 2101 Elm St NE, Fargo, ND Bismarck VA Clinic, 2700 State St # 5, Bismarck, ND VA Fergus Falls Clinic, 1821 N Park St, Fergus Falls, MN A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. This position is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: 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. 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. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II, Appendix G39 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-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a clinical setting. Walking, standing, light lifting, typing, carrying, and bending may be required. Must possess a driver's license. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Social Worker will provide Mental Health services to the veteran population enrolled in the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) program within the Mental Health Integrated Care Community (ICC). Services include provision of high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies as needed by the client. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the MHC Team or other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate. Duties include, but are not limited to: Respond timely to consults sent to the ICMHR/RANGE program by interviewing Veterans utilizing questionnaires and other measurement devices while assessing the Veteran's emotional, functional, and psychological condition as delegated by Range Coordinator. Function as case manager for Veterans in the ICMHR program performing duties to facilitate independent community living by coordinating mental health and community care. Participate in development of a treatment plan for enrolled Veterans with measurable goals outlined based on relevant psychological, medical, and psychiatric information with the principles of treatment matching. Assist Veterans in the ICMHR program in the preparation of materials needed for applications to various agencies for entitlements, then, follow the process of the application until a determination has been made. Serve as the major consultant for information on negotiating the complex processes Veterans encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Collaborate with members of the ICMHR team and other professional specialty clinics to provide comprehensive care to ICMHR enrolled Veterans. Conduct individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues. Serve as therapist in treatment groups, individual psychotherapy, and family therapy as needed. Assess needs of ICMHR enrolled Veterans in regard to their substance abuse, psychiatric and medical disorders, and the treatments and medications required, incorporating teaching in the treatment. Provide assistance with medication management for ICMHR enrolled Veterans. Conduct home visits and community visits to maintain and encourage community living. Collaborate with Adult Foster Care homes where ICMHR enrolled Veterans reside to facilitate community living in the least restrictive environment and to provide support services for the AFC homes. Provide direct teaching services to staff and others as appropriate. Document the Veteran's progress in progress notes. Document significant events as needed. Information is to be entered into the CPRS system. Facilitate urine drug screenings, perform breathalyzer testing, and perform measurement of vital signs of Veterans following ICMHR procedures. Be responsible to stay abreast of current theory and treatment modalities by reading professional journals, attending conferences, clinic seminars and teleconferences, and materials given out by staff and the Mental Health ICC. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Qualifying SLRP participants can receive up to $40,000 per year in education debt payments with a combined total not to exceed $100,000. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.