Social Worker Caregiver Support

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Caregiver Support in the Veterans Health Administration based in Big Spring, Texas. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Health Profession Trainees (HPTs) 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. All applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected at the GS9 level but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work License or Certification You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Exception For assignments at the GS9 level VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. 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. 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: GS09 Social Worker Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS09 you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan identifying the Veterans problems strengths weaknesses coping skills and assistance needed. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients staff and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental 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. GS11 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. GS11 Experience or Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS11 you must possess a minimum of one year of postMSW experience equivalent to the GS9 grade level in the field of health care or other social workrelated settings (VA or non VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse neglect or exploitation providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning providing social work case management acting as an patient/family member/caregiver advocate with community service providers/agencies assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members. In collaboration with the patient family and interdisciplinary treatment teams identifying strengths weaknesses coping skills and psychosocial acuity. Maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referrals. OR a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition to the experience above you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic educational and other backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers social work graduate students and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Preferred Experience: ability to work at the independent license level in Social Work to provide clinical services and interventions. 2 years of experience in an area of specialized social work practice. case management experience. experience facilitating groups. experience as a community liaison with skills and knowledge regarding outreach and program development. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS9 or GS11 Physical Requirements: Individuals who are required to operate a government owned or leased vehicle to successfully carry out their assigned duties must be medically cleared prior to appointment. Assessment must be made for any acute or chronic medical/physical condition or medication use which interferes with the ability operate the appropriate Governmentowned or leased vehicle safely and without undue risk to themselves or others. The following requirements must be met: distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction field of vision 70 degrees ability to distinguish red green and amber whispered voice at five feet or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500 1000 and 2000 Hz.

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.