Social Worker

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

The Successful Applicant

Applicants pending educational or certification/licensure requirements completion may be referred tentatively selected but cant be hired until all requirements are met Basic Requirements: US Citizenship Noncitizens may only be appointed when you cant recruit qualified citizens English Language Proficiency Must be able to speak write English Education. Have a masters degree in social work from social work school fully accredited by Council on Social Work Education CSWE Graduates of social work schools in candidacy status dont meet requirement until social work school is fully accredited Doctoral degrees in social work may not be substituted for masters degree in social work Degree verification can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify the social work degree meets accreditation standards for masters of social work Licensure. Persons hired/reassigned to social worker positions in GS0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at masters degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Exception. VHA may waive licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. Exception only applies for GS9 grade levels GS11 grade levels above must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment supervisor chief social work or social work executive provides unlicensed/uncertified social worker w/ written requirements for licensure or certification including time by which the license or certification must be obtained consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline For GS9 appointments: VHA social workers who arent licensed or certified at time of appointment must become licensed or certified at independent masters level w/in 3 years of their appointment as social worker Most states require 2 years postMSW experience as a prerequisite to taking licensure/certification exam VHA gives social workers 1 additional year to pass licensure/certification exam In states such as California Washington others where prerequisites for licensure exceed 2 years social workers must become licensed at independent masters level w/in 1 year of meeting full state prerequisites for licensure Social workers who dont have a license to allow independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of same discipline whos a VA staff member who has access to electronic health records Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from appointment date Failure to become licensed or certified w/in prescribed deadlines results in removal from GS0185 social worker series may result in employment termination. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified social workers must maintain a full valid and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining candidates grade in addition to basic requirements for employment GS9 Experience Education and Licensure. None beyond basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge Skills Abilities KSAs Candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs in addition to experience above: 1) Ability to work w/ Veterans/family members from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational other diversified backgrounds using counseling skills 2) Ability to assess psychosocial functioning needs of Veterans/family members create/implement treatment plans identifying Veterans issues strengths weaknesses coping skills needed assistance 3) Ability to implement treatment modalities working w/ individuals families groups to achieve treatment goals requires judgment skill using supportive problem solving or crisis intervention techniques 4) Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationships communicate w/ clients staff community agencies representatives 5) Fundamental knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses disabilities treatment procedures includes acute chronic traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications their effects/side effects medical terminology GS11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to GS11 grade requires completion of minimum of 1 year postMSW experience equivalent to GS9 grade level in health care field or other social workrelated settings VA or nonVA experience state licensure or certification at independent practice level OR Education. Doctoral degree in social work from social work school may be substituted for required 1 year professional social work experience in a clinical setting in addition to meeting basic requirements Demonstrated KSAs Candidates must demonstrate all following KSAs in addition to experience above: 1) Knowledge of community resources how to make appropriate referrals to community other governmental agencies for services ability to coordinate services 2) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments treatment interventions to a diverse individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational backgrounds 3) Knowledge of medical mental health diagnoses disabilities treatment procedures i.e. acute chronic traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications their effects/side effects medical terminology to formulate treatment plans 4) Skill in independently applying various treatment modalities working w/ individuals families groups whore having variety of psychiatric medical social problems to reach treatment goals 5) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers social work graduate students staff about psychosocial client needs psychosocial problems impact on health care adherence to treatment Preferred Experience: LCSW license HUDVASH /or working w/ homeless pop exp clinical case management exp discharge planning in hospital or adult or child protective services exp complete resource lifecycle exp Reference: Please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ for more information on qualification standard Vacancy full performance level is a GS11 Applicants may be selected as either GS9 or GS11 for this vacancy Physical Requirements: Must be able to exercise patience control emotions manage stressful situations Must be able to prepare transcribe analyze data figures Often lift/carry 15 lbs papers books laptop or small items Frequent: reading wrist hands fingers use computer mouse keyboard use sit walk stand climb/descend stairs bend Simultaneous rapid mental/muscular coordination Must be able to pass maintain BLS certification Must possess maintain valid state drivers license For complete physical standards see VA Handbook 5019

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.