The El Paso VA Healthcare System is an outpatient facility serving medical, surgical, and psychiatric clinics, in addition to community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). Home-Based Primary Care is provided in the Veteran's home and tele-health options are used throughout the system. Substantial portions of the catchment area are rural. Medical Social Workers provide a broad range of general social work services to both internal and external customers of VA Healthcare. 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: Must be proficient in written or spoken English. 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/. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 5 years Social Work experience Minimum of 2 years Case Management experience Experience in Geriatric care Knowledge of Adult Day Care and Nursing Home regulations Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level. 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, OR, 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of 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, September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); light carrying (under 15 lbs); use of fingers; both hands required; both legs required; operation of motor vehicle; Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability ["Medical Social Workers may be designated to oversee and/or coordinate key programs such as but not limited to the Community Nursing Home program, Adult Day Health Care Program, the Hospice and Palliative Care Program, and the Geriatric Evaluation and Management consultative team or other Non Institutional/Extended Care programs as assigned . These assignments may include fiscal responsibilities, analysis of data, and preparation of projections, reports of status, and outcomes. Case management at a variety of levels is a key component of medical social work practice with the population and intensity of the case management dependent upon assignment within the facility. Social Workers serve as consultants to other health professionals and departments within the El Paso VAHCS as well as community agencies and provide direct social work patient services to Veterans and their families. Medical Social Workers must be able to continually update their knowledge regarding laws, regulations, programs, and resources both within Veterans Affairs/Federal Government and the States/Communities where Veterans reside. Medical Social Workers are under the direct supervision of the NIC/Extended Care Nurse Manager and account to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling for individuals, families and groups. Depending upon assignment and current credentials, counseling may occur at multiple practice levels including adjustment and adaptation in a variety of health situations for Veterans and families. Seeks consultation when appropriate or required by level of licensure. Conducts a variety of assessments that range from mico-to macro-systems levels. Develops treatment plans/case management plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with interdisciplinary treatment team or medical teams. Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial and case management interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. May be assigned a specific population of Veterans/families to monitor and case manage. Incumbent provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members. Has working knowledge and experience in use 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. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills, seeking consultation when appropriate or required by level of licensure. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Ability to evaluate incumbents own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. General knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, non-service connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Able to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Incumbent is able to provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately. Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:45pm 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"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
