VISN 1 is recruiting for a clinical social worker assigned to Telephonic Maternity Care Coordination (MCC) Program within women's health services. This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. Location Negotiable is within VISN 1 facilities to include: Augusta, ME; Manchester, NH; White River Junction, VT; Northampton, MA; Bedford, MA; West Roxbury, MA; Jamaica Plain, MA; Brockton, MA; Providence, RI; Newington, CT; West Haven, CT to be negotiated later. 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. Preferred experience (This is not a screen-out factor but deemed by the hiring manager to be a highly qualified candidate who possess these experiences). Experience with women's health and mental health services. Experience with electronic records in a multi-healthcare system. Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: 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). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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/. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services which is a requirement of employment as a Social Worker. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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-09 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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: See VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. ["Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Provides advance practice social work services and interventions to pregnant Veterans with highly complex health and mental health needs. Clinical social work interventions are provided, as a means of assisting pregnant and lactating women Veterans to ensure their biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs are met so they can maintain health during their pregnancy and post-partum period. The MCC Social Worker is also assigned administrative responsibility for program development and is accountable for program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. The Veterans served are within VA New England's Healthcare System including all VISN 1 sites: Boston, Bedford, Providence, Togus, West Haven, Manchester, Northampton, and White River Junction. Veteran's health care and psychosocial needs are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and intervention. Services include: Baseline evaluation at pregnancy diagnosis: - Medical (RN) and mental health (SW) screening (IPV and Depression screens) - Assessment of social service needs; referrals as appropriate - Assistance with coordinating with the Office of Community Care to find a community obstetrical provider ongoing coordination during pregnancy - Ongoing referrals to social service agencies (homeless program, community agencies, etc.) - Maintaining connection to VA providers (Women's Health/PACT) - Collaborating with VA pharmacy for prescription questions as needed - Connection to VA medical, mental health and social work services as indicated - Collaboration with community obstetrician's office, as needed - Recommendations to community adjunct services such as prenatal massage or yoga and other complementary healthcare options. - Referrals for lactation education and support - Referrals for parenting education - Education of maternity and newborn benefits Postpartum coordination: - Assistance with health insurance options for baby and referrals to state insurance programs, if available - Ensuring Veterans have received the lactation package if requested (breast pump, nursing pads, nursing bras and maternity support belt) - VA and community medical, mental health and social work services - Assistance with billing questions. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:478-05574-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Please refer to the required document tab for clarification. Incomplete applications will not be considered."]

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