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The incumbent functions as an advanced, independent clinical Social Worker in the STAR Clinic. The social worker will provide expert psychological, psychosocial and advanced case management services to veterans with various specialized and highly complex, problems that include an array of substance use, psychological, psychosocial and medical diagnoses to include Primary Care Mental Integration. 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. 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/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker, GS-12 Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. (c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["Develops an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others. Incorporate complex multiple causation in the differential diagnosis and treatment. Has an understanding of the range of specialized treatment, interventions and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Has an understanding of the problems of advancing age and respect for the diversification of the aging veteran population, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the geriatric veteran, and be able to provide current and advanced techniques to the treatment of this veteran population. Works within the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy and psychoeducational services, as well as advanced case management. Practices at an advanced, independent practice level and may receive training on various evidence based treatments. Develops the treatment plan, and sets achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family. Updates plan yearly or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's condition or needs. Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs. Responsible for educating the veteran and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Refers the veteran to needed services. Acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family. Educates and encourages the veteran/family to advocate on their behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Wills, Mental Health Preferences and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate department and/or personnel for identified health education needs. Coordinates Non-institutional and Institutional services. Reviews the progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran being referred for mental and medical health services. Educates the veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred option. Collaborates in performance improvement processes by tracking compliance with various measures and will comply with various measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Participates in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services and programming as needed. Enters all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. The social worker will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attends all appropriate CBOC staff meetings, Social Work staff meetings, and other committee meetings as appropriate. Work Schedule: Standard tour is between 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52984O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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