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. Learn more 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.] Physical Requirements. Please see "Physical Requirements" listed below. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Experience in case management, resources, community referrals and discharge planning Knowledge in collaborating with internal and external services to facilitate care transition. Ability to engage, advocate, collaborate, practice and coordinate with other services and disciplines within the VHA or in the community to assist Veterans/Caregiver to close the gap of services. Experiences as a community liaison with skills and knowledge regarding outreach and program development Knowledge in conducting in home assessments with focus on education of self-care, self-management developed by patient identified goals. Ability to adapt to high volume work load and change in daily plans while remaining professional, courteous and a team player experience in teaching/mentoring a variety of sensitive topics based on a provided curriculum or materials in a group or individual setting to caregivers/Veterans. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. GS-9 Social Worker. Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.(e) 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. GS-11 Social Worker. 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 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:(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. Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard dated 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 in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting/Carrying (15-44 pounds); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking/Standing (up to 4 hours); Repeated bending (15 mins); Climbing (half hour); Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and Emotional Stability. ["The Caregiver Support Social Worker's primary responsibilities are to provide clinical care based services and interventions; program development; caregiver, Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality improvement activities; and evaluation/consultation. In addition, the incumbent must be a skilled communicator capable of developing effective partnerships with local, state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations. In conjunction with the Caregiver Support Coordination Program Manager/Coordinator, plans, organizes and directs administrative, operational, caregiver, Veteran and personnel activities for the service. The Caregiver Support Social Worker has experience that demonstrates an independent level in social work. The incumbent must be a License Master Social Worker, licensed by a state to practice at the independent level. The incumbent will function in support of caregivers, Veterans and family members throughout the medical center and in community settings. The Caregiver Support Social Worker, will provide consultation and guidance to colleagues, role model effective social work practice skills, teach or provide orientation to less experienced social workers, develop innovations in practice interventions. The incumbent in this position requires knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources. As an independent level practitioner, the incumbent is assigned to work with multiple VA healthcare services and with community agencies, leaders and organizations where he or she has no access to social work clinical supervision. The incumbent is responsible for developing and establishing linkages and collaborates on VA caregiver support efforts with community healthcare and social service agencies. The incumbent assist in the program development and effectiveness of the facility Caregiver Support Program. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800 - 1630\nTelework: 75% Telework optional for highly qualified applicant. Applicant must be able to report to facility occasionally and as needed by facility requirements.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Social Worker (Caregiver Support)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]