The facility provides care to approximately 82,000 veterans in the midlands and upstate SC. CBOCs are located in Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Rock Hill, and provide primary care, mental health, and telemedicine services. 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. 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/. Physical Requirements. Selectee must pass pre-employment physical exam or screening. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: 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. AND 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019. Preferred Experience: Prefer applicants have one year of home based primary care social work experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs., Moderate carrying; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Walking 1-4 hours; Standing 4 hours; Repeated bending 8 hours; Hearing (aid permitted). Operation of a motor vehicle to transport patients and materials is required. ["Incumbent functions as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team within the HBPC program. Coordinates health care services to Veterans in a home environment, residential care setting or virtual video connect (VVC). Coordinates linkage with appropriate VA and community service providers or agencies as needed by the client. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team as appropriate. Provides coordination of care for Veterans at the Dorn VA Medical center who are in the HBPC program. Duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/ Assessment/Case Management: Develops an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the HBPC interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. Assesses and provides social work services within the home care setting or VVC to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age associated illnesses and conditions. Treatment/Discharge Planning/Goal Setting: Develops the treatment plan and or discharge plan and setting achievable treatment/discharge goals with the Veteran/family. Attends treatment team meetings and assess Veterans on a quarterly basis for social work input during team meetings in a comprehensive and timely manner. Referral to service providers: Throughout the course of treatment, incumbent is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs. Responsible for education the Veteran, family member and/or significant other of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Resource Usage/Development: Responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. Refers the Veteran to needed services. Advocacy: Understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, educates and encourages the Veteran/family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. At all times the incumbent will represent the VA in the community. Crisis Intervention: Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Has access to multiple resources directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the mental health clinic at the Columbia VAMC. Processes alleged abuse cases according to policy. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention: Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlement, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Supportive Counseling: Provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illness (ex), onset of a catastrophic illness. Coordination of non-institutional and intuitional services: Responsible for the coordination of the referral to services such as ADHC, hospice, respite and community nursing home care services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team members. Participates in screening of Veterans to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each Veteran being referred for care. Educate the Veteran/family members and the team of the options available. Administrative Responsibilities: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attends all appropriate staff meetings. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures as requires by the VA for specific population and/or program. Participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency needs). Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD51381F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required ."]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
