The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT Program) Social Worker identifies and engages Veterans in the CWT program (Therapeutic Work, Supported Employment and Community Based Employment Services) and provides them with direct services and/or develops and connects Veterans to the services and resources that will enable them to obtain and maintain competitive employment. 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. 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of 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. 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. 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 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. Preferred Experience: One year of working with persons with disability conditions facilitating employment. Knowledge of physical and mental Disability conditions and the affects when considering employment options References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. 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: 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 to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representative of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. Must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment - The incumbent will develop a bio-psychosocial assessment of the Veteran with the Veteran, and (available family members and significant others if this is the Veteran's preference). The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs in order to optimize the Veteran's functional status. The incumbent demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and needs for all homeless adult Veteran, including OEF/OIF/OND, geriatric, and gender-specific Veterans related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated mental health, substance abuse issues and physical conditions. The incumbent has an understanding of the problems of unemployment/under employment, homelessness and respect for the diversity of the Veteran populations, being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the Veteran, and is able to provide independent treatment of this Veteran population. The initial intake assessment will be completed at admission. Incumbent will input and retrieve information for the assessment from the Veteran, collateral sources with appropriate ROI's, and CPRS, and will complete an assessment and any other required reporting data. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The incumbent social worker does an initial assessment intake and service plan, including short-term goals, long-term goals, referral plans, Veteran strengths and includes specific history (mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial,family, sexual, community/culture, legal and housing). The social worker coordinates community services and involves the CWT/VJO Program Manager and members of the CWT, SE and or CBES Team, VA primary care provider and VA mental health providers as needed. Referral to Service Providers - The incumbent social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in assessing the Veteran's needs. The social worker is responsible for educating the Veteran on the available services and assisting the Veteran in establishing the appropriate referrals based on his/her preference and what is available in the community. Advocacy - The incumbent understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran. When it is appropriate and feasible, the incumbent will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Community Planning - The incumbent coordinates community planning with the homeless Veteran. This can include arranging meetings with the Veteran and the community supports/providers for needed services. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention - The incumbent provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, advance directive and will refer the Veteran to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Supportive Counseling - The incumbent provides the Veterans with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with unemployment, under employment, homelessness and understanding barriers toemployment and housing, with an ultimate goal of being gainfully employed and to have stable, affordable housing, when possible. Administrative Responsibilities - The incumbent will enter all Veteran contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. This information will be reviewed on a regular basis. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m./8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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