Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 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: 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). 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 Master 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. 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. Physical Requirements. Walking/standing up to 8 hours ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other ability to distinguish basic colors hearing (aid permitted) clear speech inside/outside intermittent excessive noise work closely with others. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. Most states require two years of postMSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS13 (1) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidates 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. (2) 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. VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 September 10 2019 PART II APPENDIX G39 IIG3918 (3) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (a) Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s) across the facility. (b) Skill in local policy and practice development procedures and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. (c) Skill in organizing work setting priorities meeting multiple deadlines and evaluating assigned program area(s). (d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. (e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed performance evaluations and selection of staff training and recommendation of awards advancements and when appropriate disciplinary action. (f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls contracts and equipment expenditures) forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. (g) Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 This position is above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS13 level.

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.