Incumbent performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Incumbent independently practices psychotherapy and may be trained and certified in evidence-based therapies. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. GS-12, Senior Social Worker Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness is preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or others. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position will require considerable travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who assist and support to the Home& Community Based Services programs (including CNH and SVH) and its Veterans. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. ["Provide intensive case management services to assigned Veterans and significant others, consistent with the goals and methods of MHICM RANGE and the VA Mental Health Initiative and with all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures. Intensive case management services are characterized by assertive outreach, individualized treatment planning, multidimensional orientation, and intensive delivery of services. In the case of Senior Socials Workers, this may include psychotherapy. Frequent, direct contacts with Veterans to provide therapy and support. Frequency of contacts is increased in times of crisis. Flexibility of Veteran contact (Veterans are seen in any location within reasonable geographic and safety guidelines, and with any MHICM RANGE team clinician who can provide assistance). A focus on strengthening the Veteran's ability to address acute and chronic problems and improving overall quality of life. Use of naturalistic community settings for teaching and modeling problem solving skills. Provision of continuity of care within the framework established by MHICM RANGE. For example, collaborates and consults with other interdisciplinary treatment teams and programs to promote and enhance the care of Veterans. Outreach and assertive provision of services to treatment resistant Veterans. Mobilization of environmental and organizational supports, including family members, professional, and other interested parties. For example, undertakes individual, family and group therapies as well as educational programs for Veterans, families, and staff. Also responsible for linking Veterans to other VA programs and to community resources. Participate in team staffing regarding Veteran selection, determination of treatment plans and goals, progress evaluation, discharge planning, and after care. Work assertively and consistently with inpatient teams to assure continuity of care by providing consultation regarding clinical needs, treatment plans, and case management services for assigned Veterans. Is actively involved in readmission decisions, using the procedures established for this purpose. Completes clinical documentation according to MHICM RANGE and VA WCHCS. This includes but is not limited to progress notes, case reviews, and treatment plans. Work with other clinical programs and service lines that share in the care of assigned MHICM RANGE Veterans. In pursuit of programmatic and treatment goals, maintain effective working relationships and other professional and administrative personnel both within VA WCHCS and in the community. Provide documentation of Veteran care as prescribed by the MHICM RANGE, Medical Center Policies (MCPs), and CMSW Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Meet with VA, community, and professional organizations and individuals as needed to carry out assigned developmental and implementation responsibilities. This includes but is not limited to representing the program by screening Veteran for participation in any aspects of the program. The incumbent may supervise and participate in the training of Social Workers, volunteers, and master's level students; participates as required and requested in orientation, training and staff development programs involving Social Workers in each product line and the hospital. The incumbent assumes responsibility and shows initiative for own learning and professional development. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining accurate record of relevant trainings and participate in continuing education in accordance with VA policies and state licensure. The incumbent will fulfill ethical responsibilities to Veterans, colleagues and VA in accordance with NASW Code of Ethics, VHA Code of Ethics, and local Ethics policies, which includes but is not limited to compliance with all laws and regulations related to confidentiality and release of information and protecting Veterans' personal identifying information. Documents in the Veteran's medical record in accordance with Social Work and MCPs, and the requirements of The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56779O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact gina.hammer@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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