Supervisory Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Supervisory Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Chillicothe, Ohio. 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). 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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). 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. Ohio requires LISW. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS9 grade level. For the GS11 grade level and above the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment the supervisor chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. For appointments at the GS9 grade level VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent masters level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. 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: Supervisory Social Worker GS12: Education and Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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 Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to independently organize work set priorities and meet multiple deadlines. Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision consultation negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services. Ability to provide staff training and development. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees team leaders and managers. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. Work Environment/Physical Demands: The work environment involves everyday risks and/or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office meeting and training rooms or libraries. The work area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. Since work requires a high level of interaction with patients near clinical areas employees may be exposed to communicable diseases. Additionally the social worker is at time confronted by angry patients or family members so special violence prevention in the workplace safety precautions are necessary and sometimes necessitates obtaining emergency assistance for patients in crisis. The work is primarily sedentary although may require extreme patience in controlling ones emotions. The work may require using appropriate technique to physically restrain Veterans who present a danger to self or others. While performing the duties of this job the social worker is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job function include but are not limited to close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to focus. Mental/Emotional Health Requirements: Understand remember and apply oral/and or written instructions or other information Understand remember and communicate routine factual information Understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions Understand opposing viewpoints on highly complex issues to negotiate alternative solutions. Organize and prioritize own work schedule on shortterm basis (longer than one month) Make decisions that have moderate impact to the unit functioning Understand and follow basic guidelines and instructions Compose letters memos and basic reports to orally communicate technological information Make informal presentations to VA staff community partners groups and Veterans Mathematical ability such as adding subtracting multiplying dividing and counting accurately. May require extreme patience in controlling personal emotional content.

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.