Social Worker Pact

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Pact 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

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. 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/. 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. Preferred Experience: Must have an MSW from an Accredited Graduate School Institution. For Entry Level positions this is mandatory for consideration at the lowest performance level for GS9. Employment and/or Assignment is conditioned for the Candidate to complete licensure or certification at the independent level (masters level) within 3 years of her/his appointment as a Social Worker. Ability to engage and perform in basic level of General Direct Case Management and Crisis Intervention. Psychosocial assessment or Biopsychosocial assessment completion. Treatment Plan and/or Plan of Action Development. Ability to Engage Advocate Collaborate Practice and Coordinate with Interdisciplinary teams and other services and disciplines within the VHA or in the Community and assist with discharges of Veterans from community inpatient facilities to close the gap of services for Veterans. Ability to discuss and complete Advance Directives and engage in further discussions with Veterans and families around Patient Care Priorities Advanced Care Planning End of Life Discussions etc. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met for each grade level. GS11: Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS11 grade level requires completion of 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 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 one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services and ability to coordinate services. (b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 September 10 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (1544 lbs) Moderate carrying (1544 lbs) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Walking (4hrs) Standing (4hrs) Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Hearing Aid (permitted) Emotional and Mental Stability Working closely with others Working alone Protracted or irregular hours.

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.