The Senior Social Worker is directly responsible for the provision of clinical services to the Veterans assigned to the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) Program and other duties as assigned. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for all aspects of the clinical care, within their scope of practice, for all Veterans assigned to the RANGE program. *A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate* All requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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: Must possess a Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in written and spoken English to be appointed. Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker GS-0185-12 Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification: Applicants must meet the requirements for providing supervision in the state where they are licensed at the advanced practice level and should list these qualifications within the assessment narrative and their resume. Documentation is required if part of your state's requirements for providing supervision for licensure is beyond your licensure only (example: certification of continuing education credits). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (Note: a separate document with written demonstration of KSAs must be included with application, see required documents section): (a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. (c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: This position will require light lifting and carrying (up to 15 lbs.), use of hands, vision and hearing (aid/aids permitted). ["This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis; applicants will be reviewed on a weekly basis, until the positions are filled. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major duties include, but are not limited to: Direct Patient Care: The Senior Social Worker provides a full range of intensive case management services to Veterans in the RANGE program, including assessments, consultations and interventions. The Senior Social Worker assists Veterans in achieving their self-determined recovery goals by promoting independence, community integration, and hope as well as addressing related barriers due to their mental health symptoms. Crisis Intervention: The Senior Social Worker is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing (sometimes complex) safety plans which may include admission to mental health inpatient programs. In the event of a psychiatric emergency, the Senior Social Worker will follow the protocols of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System for expediting care for Veterans in crisis and serve as a subject matter expert for any staff needing assistance with a Veteran in crisis who experiences serious mental illness. Advocacy: The Senior Social Worker understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of Veterans, families and relevant others. When appropriate and feasible, the Senior Social Worker will educate and encourage Veterans, families and relevant others to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Referral to Service Providers: The Senior Social Worker will collaborate and coordinate with other service providers (internal and external as indicated) related to Veteran care. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for providing education to Veterans, families and relevant others regarding available services, and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of their surrogate decision maker. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention: The Senior Social Worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans, families and relevant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. The Senior Social Worker will provide education on the RANGE Program and model to all relevant internal and external stakeholders. Documentation: The Senior Social Worker documents case activity in accordance with Joint Commission, CARF, VHA and facility policies as applicable. The Senior Social Worker documents in Veteran's medical records in accordance with Social Work Service requirements in order to substantiate activity with the patient. Ethical & Legal Responsibilities: The Senior Social Worker conforms to legal and ethical codes of VA, Joint Commission and all appropriate professional Social Work sanctioning organizations. The Senior Social Worker protects electronic data from unauthorized release or from loss or alteration. Program Evaluation & Data Collection: The Senior Social Worker participates in program evaluation pertinent to the clinical effectiveness of the program including tracking patient symptoms, hospitalizations, and utilization of acute crisis services. Managing Consults to RANGE: The Senior Social Worker oversees consults to respective RANGE Team/Program which includes completing a majority of the consults received, establishing collaborative relationships with the inpatient medicine teams, and training new staff on the consult process. Administrative responsibilities: The incumbent will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Incumbent is able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Equal Employment Opportunities: The incumbent is responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, and affirmative action for the area under incumbent supervision in the following: (1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) fair treatment of all employees; (3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; (4) career development of employees; and (5) full utilization of their skills. Work Schedule: M-F 8am-4:30pm or 7:30am-4pm Telework: Regular telework is available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results