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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Have a master's 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 master's 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 GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's 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 GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 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.] Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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, GS-9 Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills 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. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR Education. 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: 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 socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The M2VA Program's Social Work Case Manager (SWCM) provides comprehensive social work service to Post-9/11 transitioning service members and Veterans (SM/Vs) and their families across the continuum of care and during the various phases of readjustment, adaptation and progression in ones life span. The M2VA SW CM supports the Veteran and the Veteran's family and coordinates health needs across agencies, sites and unique episodes of care in order to optimize service delivery, improve quality of care, and enhance both patient experiences and outcomes. The M2VA SW CM independently provides an array of social work interventions including: high-risk screening, integration and care coordination, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, resource education and referral, and ongoing case management. These services are provided in healthcare settings, both inpatient and ambulatory. In addition to the clinical care coordination and case management responsibilities, the M2VA SW CM may assist with the outreach component of VA mission to aide in the identification of new prospective Veteran enrollees, returning Veterans to care, assisting in the integration, transition and care coordination needs of Veterans identified during community outreach and serving as a point of information and referral. Additionally, the M2VA SW CM, depending on the primary workload within M2VA, may be appointed to assist in the provision of SW services in other areas of organizational need which may include: Mental Health, Acute and Specialty Medicine, and Extended Care and Rehabilitative Services. Depending on primary workload within M2VA and other SW department needs, may be able to participate in other organizational initiatives that are relevant and beneficial to serving Veterans such as partnering in on the provision of Whole Health related groups and classes and becoming a Whole Health Coach. Duties include but are not limited to the following: performs clinical interventions and case management services, in collaboration with the other members of the M2VA Program, and in consultation with other teams and services in order to formulate and support an integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of care on behalf of the Veteran's biological, psychological, and environmental needs of SM/Vs. As appropriate, the M2VA SW CM may serve as the Lead Coordinator for Veterans ensuring care needs for Veterans are operationalized under a integrated and coordinated system of care Exhibits a high level of skill and expertise in the work with patients and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental concerns. Possesses knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses (included but not limited to amputation, burns, vision loss, TBI, PTSD, and the Adjustment/Anxiety/Mood disorders) as well as insight into the needs of and services required for individuals with these conditions and the skills to implement treatment modalities. Uses the social work process (psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment) in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members to develop holistic case management plans and psychosocial interventions. Evaluates the need for mental health services and makes appropriate referrals for individual, group, marital and family treatment services. Coordinates care with interdisciplinary teams and care providers to promote continuity for Post 9/11 SM/Vs and their families. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.\nWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm OR Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm\nTelework: Ad Hoc Emergency Telework may be authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:1763-00009-F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates only\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]