Chief Mental Health Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Chief Mental Health Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Louisville, Kentucky. 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. Education: Have a 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. 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. Current state requirements may be found on the OHRM website. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 3 section A paragraph 3f. Grade Determinations: GS:15 Experience/Education. The social work program manager at the GS15 grade level must have at least four years of experience as a VA clinical social worker with at least oneyear equivalent to the GS14 grade level. The social work program manager must evidence possession of progressively higher supervisory and management skills. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. The individual may have certification or other postmasters degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification. The social work manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above the candidate must fully meet the KSAs for the GS14 grade level and demonstrate all the following professional KSAs: (a) Skill in providing technical social work guidance in order to complete job assignments in multiple divisions/sections. (b) Skill in applying legal ethical and professional standards to social work practice. (c) Knowledge of social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. (d) Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership care/product line managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements. (e) Skill in developing implementing and maintaining clinical social work practice standards in multiple divisions/ sections. (f) Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS15. Physical Requirements: Should be physically and mentally capable to perform the duties of the position. Physical activity include sitting standing (up to 2 hours) walking (up to 2 hours) reaching above the shoulder and repeated bending.

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.