Legal Career Center

If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11511710-22-ER. The position works closely with an interdisciplinary team in coordinating care. The primary duties involve brief functional assessment, triage, and evidence-based intervention in collaboration with the primary care team, including individual/group treatment modalities. Treatment is time-limited, aligned with the Primary Care Mental Health Integration model. 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. 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: Applicant must 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. Preferred Experience: -Possess LCSW license -Experience in behavioral health integration or PCMHI certification -Must have strong computer and written communication skills -Must have experience/willingness in providing suicide risk assessments and initial treatments -At least 1 year VHA experience Grade Determinations: 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. Examples of creditable experience include but not limited to identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the Veteran, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the Veteran and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. 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 or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate lifting ( 15-44 pounds), light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds), walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, operation of motor vehicle, hearing (aid permitted), and mental/emotional stability. Environmental factors include working working alone and working closely with others (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Social Worker Primary Care Behavioral Health Social Worker in Social Work Service include but are not limited to: Clinical:\n- Knowledge and skill in establishing and maintaining effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their support systems. The incumbent independently works with Veterans who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, financial, and psychosocial issues.\n- Independently identifies high-risk needs and prioritizes case management services.\n- Independently completes an appropriate (brief or comprehensive) psychosocial assessment to determine the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their support systems. The incumbent utilizes the assessment, in conjunction with the Veteran, to facilitate development of a treatment plan which maximizes the use of treatment programs/resources and leverages appropriate support systems to ensure goal attainment.\n- Actively participates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team and with Veterans and/or their support systems to develop and implement treatment goals and interventions.\n- Working knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses, and medical terminology.\n- Possesses knowledge and ability to independently implement appropriate interventions, facilitate psycho-educational classes, individual and group psychotherapy and supportive groups for Veterans and/or their support systems. The incumbent has knowledge of and provides interventions and treatment modalities specific to the Primary Care setting.\n- Utilizes evidence based protocols including but not limited to: Written Exposure Therapy, Prolonged Exposure in Primary Care, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and Problem Solving Training.\n- Conducts cognitive screening including utilizing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and St. Louis University Mental Status exam (SLUMS)\n- Provides education and caregiver support to caregivers of dementia patients.\n- Collaborates with Veterans/support systems and the interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate VA and Community placements referrals are completed in a timely manner.\n- Provides consultation and education to Veterans/support systems regarding community resources, VA benefits and specialty programs, and advance directives.\n- Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans/support systems and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's healthcare planning and compliance with treatment.\n- Provides Advanced Directive information and education including but not limited to the following: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Living Will, Health Care Directive, and/or treatment preferences document to Veteran and families.\n- Performs comprehensive suicide risk screenings and assessments and develops and integrates safety planning and safety goals into the Veteran's collaborative, individualized treatment plan.\n- In conjunction with the healthcare team, identifies and assesses risk, safety, supports and implements appropriate interventions/treatment for those who are experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or are experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence. Adheres to VA and mandated reporter requirements. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on abuse, neglect, exploitation and intimate partner violence issues. Non-Clinical Functions:\n- Serves as a subject matter consultant to clinical staff, PACT providers and other Primary Care personnel.\n- Engages in outreach efforts for PCBH Services across the CAVHS catchment area (including the eight outpatient clinics) and in community agencies serving Veterans.\n- Documents all Veteran care in the electronic health record.\n- Actively participate on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor, Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) Program Manager, Deputy ACOS and/or ACOS, Mental Health Service.\n- Assists with the orientation and mentoring of newly hired social workers and, serves as a field instructor for social work students, if interested and qualified.\n- Maintains a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Mental Health, Joint Commission, CARF and facility standards. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker - Primary Care Behavioral Health/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]