The Social Worker (Home-Based Primary Care) position is located in Social Work Services at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. This position is responsible for a case load in a community setting of the Home Based Primary Care program. This position will involve screening and assessing the psychosocial function and needs of individuals and families from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. 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: Education: Have a master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 the CSWE website (www.cswe.org) to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. 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. 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39 http://vaww.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-11. Physical Requirements: Extended periods of standing, bending and carrying light items such as books, medical records and paper is required. Walking long distance throughout the medical center, on units ad between divisions is required. Conducting patient encounters in a community setting or in the patient's home environment may be required. Position often places the incumbent in a position of stress. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may come in contact with veterans patients who are confused, intoxicated or have a contagious condition. Ability to drive a car and have a valid state license is required. Exposure to dangerous situations in the community from traffic accidents to crime is also possible. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Responsible for a case load in a community setting involving screening and assessing the psychosocial function and needs of individuals and families from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds and can formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patients problems, strength, needs, abilities, preferences, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient family and interdisciplinary treatment team. Requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Develops psychosocial plans of care which may include individual/family counseling, long-term and advance care planning, non-pharmacological pain interventions, stress management, caregiver respite, psycho-educational programs, as well as grief and bereavement counseling. Maximizes VA and community resources/services, such as housing, in-home assistance and financial support. Strong ability to independently organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate assigned program area(s). Active interdisciplinary treatment team member who participants in the developing and implementing of a treatment plan by identifying the patient's problems strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Attends relevant meetings, committees and is responsible for implementation of performance improvement projects with formal evaluation and outcome results. The incumbent will utilize a government vehicle to travel within the facility/CBOC coverage area to conduct home visits. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Eligible Functional Statement #: Social Work/FS00421 Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]

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