Social Worker (Recovery Services)

Summary

The Social Worker in Recovery Services (RS) provides professional Social Work services and substance use disorder treatment at the Central Ohio VA Healthcare System in Columbus, OH. Social Work positions in RS can be assigned to provide specialized treatment services, within the following components of the division: Assessment, Outpatient; Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Low Intensity Rehabilitation/Aftercare, Medication Assisted Treatments, etc.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/04/2024 to 06/17/2024

• Salary

$62,522 - $98,338 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9 - 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Columbus, OH 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

11

• Job family (Series)

0185 Social Work

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR-12430204-24-CP

• Control number

794153400

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This is an External announcement. Internal applicants must apply to the internal announcement, Vacancy I.D. number 12430205.

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Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

• Provides Social Work services and general and specialized mental health care to patients and their families or significant others as applicable, applying knowledge of treatment for substance use disorder and mental health disorders, other clinical and social issues, group and individual therapy and family treatment methods in order to help patients improve medical, mental health and social functioning, abstain from addictive behaviors, maintain community living and limit the need for hospitalization and other intensive intervention.

• Provides Social Work services to patients, families and significant others as needed in order to establish linkages to resource systems.

• Performs independent intake interviews on patients in order to accomplish initial data gathering necessary to evaluate, recommend options and treat addictions, mental disorders and other clinical or social issues.

• Independently completes psychosocial assessments and Brief Addiction Monitors (BAM's) in order to formulate treatment plans defined by problems, goals, objectives and interventions.

• Documents in patients' medical records in accordance with Social Work, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and RS requirements in order to substantiate service activity with the patients.

• Fully participates in treatment team meetings in order to communicate assessment and intervention activities to multidisciplinary team members, with whom the Social Worker collaborates on the plan of care.

• Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet patient, family and significant other needs on the basis of appropriateness of referral and capacity to benefit from community assistance.

• Prepares documentation, clinical summaries, encounter forms and other statistical reports to disseminate pertinent information while adhering to VA and regulatory standards (JC, CARF) and specifically Ambulatory Care Center, BHS and RS policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Maintains cooperative and collaborative interdisciplinary working relationships with clinic staff and community providers in to assist with the development and execution of effective care planning.

• Identifies professional training needs and participates in continuing education in order to enhance skills and knowledge base.

• Informs supervisor of potential legal, political, or high risk incidents in order to keep management alerted to situations that may involve high level intervention.

• Conforms to legal and ethical codes and regulatory requirements of Social Work license, practice and conduct; adheres to VA policy and procedures; relevant Federal, State and local laws; and related Joint Commission and other accrediting or sanctioning organizations guidelines.

• Trains other therapists and clinical personnel in verbal and non-verbal interventions, treatment processes, crisis oriented counseling, patient restraints and other germane subjects.

• Arranges referral of patients to other Federal agencies, State and other public as well as private organizations and gives advice and guidance to patients relative to benefits and services provided within the VA and local community, along with eligibility requirements.

• Develops and maintains appropriate communications, rapport, and positive working relationships with a variety of institutions, organizations and community service providers.

• Performs all other duties as assigned relevant to Social Work and professional practice in VA medical, mental health and social service settings.

• Takes personal responsibility for completion and results of addiction specific and relevant mental health or medical performance measures.

• May provide supervision to GS-9 Social Workers, Social Work Associates and Social Work students. Provides Social Work training and consultation to other students.

• Can order, administer, handle, monitor and interpret Intoximeter and drug screen/testing. Seeks feedback from a medical professional (MD or NP) in the event of a controversy in terms of interpreting results.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; One evening required.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91634-O/91635-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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:

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).

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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.

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.

• 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.

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).

Grade Determinations:

Social Worker, GS-9

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:

• Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.

• 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.

• 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.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.

• 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.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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: Meets the qualification standard for the GS 11 Social Worker as defined in VA Handbook 5005, part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration.

Preferred Experience: Previous work in the field of Behavioral Health. Preferred experience in the field of Substance Abuse.

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: The position is primarily sedentary, with some bending, walking, and stooping required. This position requires the ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading computer screens and the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around workspace safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.