The Social Worker serves as a Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program point of contact. VDC offers Veterans the opportunity to receive personalized in-home services and avoid placement into an institutional setting and remain at home through allowing the Veteran / Authorized Veteran Representative to develop a personalized Care Plan in coordination with the local Area Agency on Aging utilizing VA funds and receiving AAA assistance to budget for private hired care. 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. English Language Proficiency Requirement: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and 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 dependently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Grade Determinations: 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. 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. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA's), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training. Otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. The GS-11 KSA's for this subject position are; 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. 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: Incumbent must be Licensed or Certified by a State to independently practice Social Work at the Master's Degree Level. Incumbent must be recognized by their State Licensing Board as a qualified Supervisor. Experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skill & judgment, with at least two years in an area of specialized social work practice. Will work with special patient populations with highly-complex health or mental health problems requiring expert level psychosocial interventions. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G-39, Qualification Standard for the appointment of Social Workers, GS-0185, in VA. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position which would be light lifting/ carrying/ pushing/ pulling, continuous to limited sitting, standing, walking, bending or stooping. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. They must have good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken and written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. ["The Social Worker facilitates level of care determination and assignment of budget through assessment for the appropriate case-mix level of care, providing referrals to the Area Agency on Aging and serves as point of contact for Veterans seeking enrollment into the program. Clinical responsibilities include coordination of care for Veterans referred to the Veteran Directed Care program, patient/family teaching, program planning, coordination with local Area Agencies on Aging and coordinates linkage with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies as needed by the client. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team, or other VA and community providers as appropriate (e.g., VA Specialty Clinics , Community Living Centers, Adult Day Health Care Centers, home health agencies, etc.) Some of the other duties include, but are not limited to; The incumbent independently conducts psychosocial assessments of Veterans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and significant others. The incumbent is responsible for assisting in the development of the treatment plan and developing achievable treatment goals through collaboration with the Veteran, family members/caregiver, and the interdisciplinary team. The incumbent plans and organizes work, coordinates with the interdisciplinary team, other professional and clinical staff within the health system, and management personnel. The incumbent facilitates referrals based upon the Veteran's needs and eligibility. The incumbent serves as liaison to community agencies and networks with agency representatives. The incumbent is responsible for developing, updating, and using current social work resources within the VA. The incumbent is responsible for remaining up to date on the community social service programs available to ensure the Veteran is receiving education and information about, and referrals to, current, viable resources to best meet their needs. The incumbent acts as an advocate when needed to serve the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. The incumbent may provide education individually and in groups related to navigating the VA system, use of community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives (Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care), and Life Sustaining Treatment Decisions through Goals of Care Conversations. The incumbent reviews and coordinates all phases in the continuing care for the Veteran in primary care, specialty care, and other outpatient services. The incumbent may provide the Veterans and their family members/caregiver with ongoing supportive counseling. The incumbent may provide individual and/or group Evidence Based Therapies and treatment (i.e., CPT, PE, CST, Seeking Safety, Psychoeducational Groups, Support Groups etc.) to Veterans and their family members/significant other/caregivers. The incumbent documents all Veteran/family contacts with the Veteran's written and verbal consent in the electronic medical record. The Social Worker establishes and maintains positive, professional working relationships with interdisciplinary team members, other employees, volunteers, consumers, and all other internal/external stakeholders within the VA, as well as, with community agencies. The incumbent documents Social Work interventions and activities in the Veteran's electronic medical record and ensures appropriate hand off when transferring the Veteran's care. The incumbent reviews and coordinates all phases in the continuing care for the Veteran in primary care, specialty care, and other outpatient services. The incumbent must be able to drive and have and have an unrestricted valid, state driver's license. The incumbent performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tour of Duty to be determined (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: May be available as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:Social Worker(VDC), FS #5191F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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