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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience/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. 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). A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience and Licensure: 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, and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Assignment. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Incumbent independently assesses 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/caregiver, and interdisciplinary treatment team, the social worker facilitates the delivery of health care services. The social worker identifies family/caregiver stressors, conducts assessment and provides specific interventions. The incumbent provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The social worker links the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities, in order to maximize the Veteran's independence, health, and well-being. The social worker conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate. The social worker provides interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, behavioral health, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. They provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities which may include individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy. They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable, achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Social workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community. They provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans offering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. The social worker establishes and maintains ongoing education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff, to facilitate understanding of social work interventions specific to the Veteran/Military population. Education: 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: (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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. ["Assigned to the Social Work Service and is matrixed to the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) team. Reports to the Social Work Supervisor of GEC. Responsibilities include the management, coordination, and provision of social work services to veterans and their families. Will participate in regular multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure that veterans are receiving appropriate psychosocial services pre- and post-surgery to promote best possible outcomes, and to ensure warm hand-off return to primary care team following the course of pre- and post-surgical social work care management by the incumbent. Serves as a member of the Peri-Operative Surgical Home inter-disciplinary team, assigned to provide social work services to veterans receiving pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative services utilizing the Peri-Operative Home model of care. The position is highly collaborative and entails working with numerous teams of multi-disciplinary providers, as well as veteran family members and Non-VHA care facilities and resources, throughout the course of surgical care. Responsible for the management, coordination, and provision of social work services to veterans and their families/caregivers. Responsible for completing the following duties/responsibilities: Will conduct comprehensive assessments to determine needs of veterans and family members/caregivers. Is an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines, with a focus on outpatient pre-operative and post­ operative optimization. Will provide consultation/education to veterans and families/caregivers on community - resources, advance directives and VA benefits. Will provide case management to veterans and families/caregivers, as needed, throughout the pre-to post­ surgical episode of care. Will provide a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes: case work, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Will provide wellness/prevention education as appropriate. Will coordinate treatment and communicate with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for veterans. Will assist patients and their significant others with coping and dealing with the loss and grief experiences in disability, terminal illness and death. Will participate in a rotation of on-call social workers, including modification of tour of duty to accommodate patient care needs on weekends. Will complete Advance Care Planning discussions and assist veterans with completion of VHA Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will documents. Will initiate and follow up on non-institutional care referrals and caregiver support referrals. Will engage in health promotion activities for the benefit of veterans served, such as Whole Health, tobacco cessation, and other VHA wellness initiatives, providing education and referrals. Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized"]

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