Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. 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. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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 http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation 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 GS0185 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 by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Grade Determinations:GS12 Social Worker Experience and Education: Experience Requirement: Applicants applying at the GS12 grade level 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 of experience equivalent to the GS11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate 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. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation negotiation and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies procedures and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work setting priorities meeting multiple deadlines and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training orientation and guidance within clinical practice. References: See VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard GS185 Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: Position requires movement throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center. Position requires travel to the community patient homes and other sites. Demonstrates awareness of and follows all home visit safety guidelines.

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.