Senior Social Worker Mental Health

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

The Successful Applicant

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: Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Proficient in spoken and written English Per VA Handbook 5005 Part II Chapter 3 Section A Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patientcare capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Masters 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters 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). Grade Determinations: Senior Social Worker GS12 Experience: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which one year must be equivalent to the GS11 grade level. Experience includes but is not limited to: Making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services and ability to coordinate services Conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds Formulating a treatment plan using 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) 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. Providing 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 Providing professional independent social work services in the assigned area Assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse neglect exploitation and/or intimate partner violence Using of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies handbooks or directives acting as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver Independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members identifying the Veterans strengths weaknesses coping skills and psychosocial acuity Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual group and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession and to write policies procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience with Evidence Based Psychotherapy References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/Carrying (under 44 lbs) reaching above shoulder use of fingers/both hands/both legs walking/standing (12hrs) operation of crane truck tractor or motor vehicle ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other 60 peripheral bilateral (glasses permitted) both eyes required depth perception ability to distinguish basic colors/shades of colors hearing (aid permitted) mental and emotional stability able to hear whisper or meet DOT/VA hearing requirements ability to move head 45deg in both directions FEVI40 and no significant impairments adequate balance.

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.