Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Birmingham, Alabama. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Have a masters degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). NOTE: Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations: GS9 Social Worker Grade Determinations: Experience Education and Licensure. GS9 is the entry level grade for the GS185 social work series and is used for social workers with less than one year of postMSW experience and for social workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social workers at the GS9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification.ANDIn addition the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities 1. Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment society and culture. 2. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric medical and social problems utilizing individual group and family counseling skills. Work with more complex problems is done under close supervision. With guidance from the social work supervisor ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan identifying the patients problems strengths weaknesses coping skills and assistance needed. 3. Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and under supervision 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. 4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients staff and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. 5. 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. and 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents data management and tracking. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.References: VA Handbook 5005/23 Part II Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.