Job Description

Summary The Social Worker is assigned to the Community Living Center ( CLC ) with responsibility to provide social work services to adult and geriatric Veterans (including hospice and those with dementia) receiving care in at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System and provides services to Veterans seeking these services, as well as support the behavioral health needs of those in crisis and is responsible for safe discharge of patients from CLC to various settings including home and acute services. Responsibilities *This is an Open and Continuous announcement for this position and can be taken down at any time. * *Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized * VA Careers – Social Work: ua\ UU The social worker assigned to support Social Work Service programming. Incumbent must possess the knowledge of implementing treatment modalities; and how to do the following: 1) identify level of functioning, degree of impairment in occupational, social, academic, interpersonal and family area; 2) evaluate and assess lethality, 3) perform mental status exams ( MSE ), 4) identify psychiatric manifestations of various medical conditions, 5) assess and intervene with patients of suspected abuse and provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. They need to possess the knowledge of the criteria and state laws for legal commitment and involuntary hospitalizations. In addition, incumbent has working knowledge and understanding in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures in working with diverse populations and circumstances. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, psychiatric, medical, and social problems, common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their families with proficiency. Completes thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the mental health diagnosis, psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their families. Conducts psychosocial assessments of high-risk patients to identify suicidality through use of the Suicide Risk Assessment ( SRA ) and other appropriate tools. Participates actively as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through collaboration with Veterans and family, in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions. Facilitates action for community placements through collaboration with Veterans and their families as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members to ensure that appropriate community placements are completed in a timely manner. Possesses knowledge and ability to implement psychotherapeutic treatment modalities, provide educational classes, and/or treatment and supportive groups for Veterans and families. Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their families and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran’s health care planning and compliance with treatment. Completes all required documentation in a timely manner utilizing approved templates to ensure consistency in documentation standards. Possesses and demonstrates ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. Performs other duties, as needed to meet the needs of the service, facility and/or the mission of the VA. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 evaluation. 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. 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 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 OHRM /T38Hybrid/. [(1)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.] Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-09 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. Candidate must demonstrate 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. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet funct

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