Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Orem, Utah. 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 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. 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. 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 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: Social Worker GS01859 GS09 Social Worker Knowledge Skills Abilities. In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS09 you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills Abilities: Ability to work with Veterans family members from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning needs of Veterans their family members to formulate implement a treatment plan identifying the Veterans problems strengths weaknesses coping skills assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals families groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment skill in utilizing supportive problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish maintain effective working relationships communicate with clients staff representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical mental health diagnoses disabilities treatment procedures. This includes acute chronic traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications their effects/side effects medical terminology. Social Worker GS018511GS11 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) 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 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 needs of patients their family members. In collaboration with the patient family interdisciplinary treatment teams identifying strengths weaknesses coping skills psychosocial acuity. Maintaining a current network of internal external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers 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. GS11 Social Worker Knowledge Skills Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge of community resources how to make appropriate referrals to community other governmental agencies for services ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical mental health diagnoses disabilities treatment procedures (i.e. acute chronic traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications their effects/side effects medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals families groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric medical social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers social work graduate students other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients the impact of psychosocial problems on health care compliance with treatment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health able to sit at a desk working at a computer engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting walking bending carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands exercise patience control emotions with reasonable accommodation if necessary without endangering the health safety of the social worker or others. This position requires a valid state drivers license local travel to provide communitybased care to Veterans. The position may require some travel in the community through use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements to meet with representatives/stakeholders who aid support to Veterans in clinics medical centers Community Clinics etc. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing analyzing data figures transcribing viewing a computer terminal extensive reading repetitive motions of the wrists hands and/or fingers.

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.