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Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 1, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Responsibilities VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major duties include, but are not limited to: When clinically appropriate, the incumbent coordinates and/or conducts screening of Veterans for appropriateness of the SUDS program. The incumbent has a working knowledge of medical terminology, diagnostic categories, and chart review. When indicated the social worker conducts triage, intervention, education and consultative services regarding a wide range of mental and behavioral health concerns. The incumbent interviews and conducts the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and/or biopsychosocial assessments to establish veteran's treatment needs, presenting problems, and provide a clinical impression. The incumbent interprets and explains VA's treatment following the completion of the Addiction Severity Index whereby levels of services are determined. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment identifying needs and strengths. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight. Uses advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options. The incumbent makes rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. In the event of an alleged abuse case, medical or psychiatric emergency, the medical center policy will be followed. The incumbent ensures that the interdisciplinary team is kept informed of any concerns with the patient and/or caregiver. The incumbent has awareness of and uses brief assessments routinely (e.g., BAM, AUDIT C, etc.). It is the responsibility of the incumbent to develop a treatment plan with the veteran based on this assessment. The incumbent along with the veteran will develop the treatment plan that includes measurable time limited treatment goals. Treatment planning includes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams such as OIF/OEF/OND case manager, substance abuse staff, Psychiatry (inpatient/outpatient), Homeless Program, Physicians and Vet Centers. The incumbent engages in advance care planning and goals of care conversations. The incumbent has a responsibility for providing education on advance health care planning and facilitates psycho-educational and support groups on a variety of topics for Veteran and their families when appropriate. Provides psychoeducation and clinical feedback regarding symptoms of the mental health condition to patients served. The incumbent provides individual and group therapy to Veterans with SUD. Also provides psychoeducational and skill-building groups for veterans, group cohorts, and/or veterans' families. Services are VA approved evidenced based psychotherapy. Provides wellness and prevention education and facilitates Veteran/family support groups as appropriate. The incumbent engages patient and family education, engage client advocacy, engage mandatory reporting (abuse, neglect, or exploitation), engage suicide assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning. The incumbent provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. Serves as liaison for CAVHCS Mental Health and Behavior Medicine in providing mental health services to CBOC patients. The incumbent provides ongoing treatment and documentation per VA Guidelines and facility policy. The incumbent must have a thorough working knowledge of VISTA/CPRS, Social Work practice standards, Medical Center policies, and the requirements of the Joint Commission. The incumbent documents independently in CPRS electronic medical records, including psychosocial assessments, treatment, progress notes, follow up, and referrals. The incumbent has expanded clinical knowledge in the profession, 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, and provide clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification. Provides training to Social Work interns, residents, and staff from other disciplines. Topics include the impact of psychosocial and psychiatric issues that may directly affect their care. The incumbent will assist in the development & implementation of policies & procedures pertinent to the program, including quality assurance & program evaluation activities as required by MIRECC, VACO, CAVHCS, Joint Commission, others. This incumbent will function as a fully accountability party on the team and when appropriate accepts other assignments as delegated by the Supervisory Social Worker. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 This is a Social Worker position which provides service to the Veteran population enrolled at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program on the East Campus. He/she will be assigned to the Substance Use Disorders Program (SUDS) and assist in the delivery of evidence-based care for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders. 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. 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). 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, 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. Preferred Experience: Mental Health experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G-39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities. The incumbent observes normal safety precautions while working primarily in an office type environment. The environment also includes visits to community agencies, visits to care giving facilities in the community etc., depending on the incumbent's specific assignment. Most of the time the incumbent operates in an environment that is well lighted, clean, and does not pose a hazard to personal safety. There is ongoing exposure to individuals having psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities. These include acute infections, violent or aggressive behavior, and chronic psychiatric and medical problems. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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.