Careers

The incumbent in this position will spend 50% of their time providing social work services to the Emergency Department (ED). The responsibilities of the ED social worker include a variety of clinical services to adult and geriatric Veterans and their families who present for emergent treatment. The other 50% of their time will be coordinating the Medical Companion Program (MCP). To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/07/2023. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Education. Possess 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. For grades below or at the full performance level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent master's level within 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Licensure. Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification 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. Preferred Experience: Experience working with inter-disciplinary teams VA experience Knowledge of community resources Experience in in-patient medicine Grade Determinations: GS-9: Basic requirements as described above. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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: Completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience); OR, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185. 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services ["Emergency Department Social Worker The incumbent is responsible for completing the following duties/responsibilities: A. The incumbent will assist in discharges to Long Term Care (LTC) institutions by facilitating the use of VA and community-based programs that can prevent unneeded and frequent emergency room visits. B. The incumbent has knowledge of different payor sources for admission to LTC facilities. C. Is an active participant in the treatment planning and care planning process of the integrated care team. D. Will be responsible for ensuring discharge plans are executed in a timely and appropriate manner. E. Will provide short-term solution focused counseling with individuals and families who may be in crisis. F. Will provide consultation/education to Veterans and families on wellness/prevention, community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits. G. Will act as a consultant to other team/staff members and will collaborate with the integrated care team members in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans. H. Will provide consultation/education to medical residents on social work practices and VA policies and procedures. I. Will assist patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experienced when diagnosed with a disability, chronic disease, or terminal illness. J. Will maintain comprehensive written patient progress notes, outcomes, and discharge planning services in collaboration with the treatment team, in the patient's clinical record, to ensure an appropriate hand-off when patient care is moved through the continuum of care. K. Will provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological), and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture. L. Will assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Medical Companion Program Coordinator A. As the MCP coordinator, the incumbent will assess the social support system of referred Veterans to determine if they meet the qualifying criteria which includes the lack of having a dependable caregiver, with the means of transportation, to accompany them to their appointment. B. Once the veteran is approved for services, the incumbent coordinates care between the Veteran, the community partners, the Care in The Community service line, and the VA. C. If the veteran is coming from more than 75 miles away from the VA, the incumbent will arrange for a hotel room for the veteran and coordinate with the home health company for 24-hour rotating shift of CNAs at the hotel. D. Will reconcile the usage of CNAs, at the end of each month, with the home health agency E. Will reconcile usage of the hotel, at the end of each month, with the hotel contractor. Combined responsibilities for both the ED and MCP Social Worker A. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation of written treatment program policies and procedures developed by Social Work Service that are based on empirical and theoretical rationale and are consistent with patient rights. B. The incumbent will conduct training for staff, students, and community providers regarding program issues, will provide education, information and liaison with resources for Veterans in the community, and will provide technical assistance and educational sessions to community organizations as needed. C. Will act as a liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. D. The incumbent conducts work activities independently utilizing educational training, clinical experience, VA policies, and The Joint Commission standards in administering direct services. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed for the benefit of the Veteran, family, and quality of services provided. As a Social Worker, the incumbent will adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and maintain an unrestricted, unsuspended license to practice Social Work. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 10:00am to 6:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55766O, 55765O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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