Acute Psychiatry Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Acute Psychiatry Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Portland, Oregon. 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 Masters degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or other masters in science in social work (MSSW) social service administration (MSSA) social service (MSS) social administration (MSA) or social welfare as accredited by the CSWE. Licensure Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. 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. Grade Determinations: GS9 Social Worker (a) Experience Education and Licensure. GS9 is the entry level grade for the GS185 social work series and is used for social workers with less than one year of postMSW experience and for social workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social workers at the GS9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification. In addition the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities 1. Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment society and culture. 2. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric medical and social problems utilizing individual group and family counseling skills. Work with more complex problems is done under close supervision. With guidance from the social work supervisor ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan identifying the patients problems strengths weaknesses coping skills and assistance needed. 3. Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and under supervision ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals families and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. 4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients staff and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds. 5. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. 6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents data management and tracking. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA. (c) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS9 social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification. Social workers at the GS9 entry level are typically assigned to VHA program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Since these social workers are not practicing at an independent level they should not be assigned to program areas where independent practice is required such as in a CBOC unless there is a licensed social worker in the program area who can provide supervision for practice. GS9 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision. (2) GS11 Social Worker (a) Experience Education and Licensure. Promotion to the GS11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of postMSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or nonVA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 2c. OR In addition to meeting basic requirements a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities Includes Knowledge Skills and Abilities as above (16) and: 7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements. 8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences research studies or other organized means. 9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents data management and tracking especially those programs in use by VHA. (c) Assignments. This is the full performance level for social workers. GS11 social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. They are assigned to all program areas including inpatient or outpatient medicine surgery mental health neurology rehabilitation medicine and geriatrics. Employees provide professional independent social work services in the assigned area. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years LCSW or Psychiatry Nurse Practice experience full license for independent practice experience in working in acute psychiatry setting. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/23 PART II APPENDIX G39. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting under 15 pounds Light carrying under 15 pounds walking and standing 4hrs Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously hearing (aid permitted) working closely with others working alone. Environmental Requirements: Working closely with others.

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.