Career Center

Incumbent serves as a social worker in the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitative Treatment Program. In the role, the social worker provides assessment, treatment, case management, and planning to patients with substance use disorders as part of a multidisciplinary team. Incumbent serves as an expert on recovery planning, psychosocial assessment and interventions, evidence-based therapies, and discharge planning. 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/. 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. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.] 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). Preferred Experience: SUD certification and prior SUD experience strongly preferred. Adult psychotherapy and evidenced based treatment modality experience preferred as well. Experience treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other major psychiatric disorders is also preferred. Team approach is mandatory and experience working as a professional on a multidisciplinary team is beneficial. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the GS-11 Social Worker must meet the following requirements: Experience and Licensure. 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.ORA 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. 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, Part II Appendix G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. It may require some lifting (10-25 lbs) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder; frequent keyboarding (4-7 hours per day); sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking up to 6 hours per day; Standing up to 8 hours a day; Infrequent climbing/ descending of stairs; some bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; correctable near sighted and far sighted vision; hearing (aid permitted). ["The incumbent services as a specialist in substance abuse within the facility and provides direct patient care services in the program area of addictions recovery. Professional social work interventions are provided in both the intensive outpatient care setting and within the residential treatment program. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Independently conducts psychosocial assessments, including Addiction Severity Indices (ASIs). Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy and case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with complex medical and mental health conditions. Provides direct social work services to Veterans, family members, and significant others involved in residential SUD programs, or other SUD programs as needed. Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services. Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of the Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 10 hour shifts (specific tour of duty to be discussed at time of selection)\nCompressed/Flexible: Authorized\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker (Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program)/PD00000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nNPI/Taxonomy code: Required; must be eligible for an NPI number as a condition of employment."]