Career Center

The VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics (VASORCC) provides a variety of clinical programs with a wide range of outpatient services and treatments for Veterans in Geriatrics and Extended Care, Psychiatry, substance abuse and various other ambulatory care programs. VASORCC has a main campus and two Community Based Outpatient Clinics (Grants Pass and Klamath Falls).This position works within the HUD-VASH team as a case manager of a caseload of approximately 30-35 Veterans. 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. Language: All candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English. Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or other master's in science in social work (MSSW), social service administration (MSSA), social service (MSS), social administration (MSA) or social welfare as accredited by the CSWE. You MUST have earned your degree by the time the job announcement closes. Those without the required master's degree will be disqualified. (If you are a VA intern graduating in the next 2 months, you may be eligible, pending credentialing and graduation with required Master's degree.). Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's 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 the GS-9, entry level position. For those hired without a license, they will be required to obtain licensure within three (3) years of appointment. 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: GS-9 Requirements: This is the entry level for social workers and is used for social workers with less than 1 year of post-MSW experience. GS-11 Requirements: This is the full performance level for social workers. GS-11 Social Workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. They are assigned to all program areas, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for GS-11: 1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team. 3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture. 4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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. 5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. 6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure. 7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements. 8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA. Preferred Experience: Prior experience with individuals experiencing homelessness References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 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 GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers, both hands required; walking & standing (1 hour); both hands required; Operation of motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs and referral to appropriate VA and community resources. Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Continually updates own knowledge base with regard to available VA and community resources. Possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. Conducts psychosocial assessments. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members. Has working knowledge and experience in use 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. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Evaluate incumbents own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Incumbent is able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. This is based on general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, non-service connected pension. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Incumbent is able to provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately. Maintains working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Complies with VA performance measures and works with the assigned team to effectively shape practice patterns to improve stand on performance measures. Collaborates in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact patients and staff including initiating and participating in ethical consultations. Maintains complete Veteran confidentiality. Analyzes ethical/care issues, applying appropriate theoretical principles and ensures application of institutional policy. Provides considerate care, respecting Veterans, family and staff personal values and belief systems. Demonstrates positive communication skills and behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. Collaborates with other disciplines and caregivers using group processes for decision making in interdisciplinary problem solving. Operate such vehicles as sedans, station wagons, 4x4 utility, pick-up trucks and stake bed trucks weighing less than 22,000 pounds. Incumbent will drive Veterans to and from such places as clinically indicated, such as hospitals, doctor's offices, meetings and activities relevant to Veteran's Treatment Plan. May need to assist Veterans requiring special help into and out of vehicles and ensuring their safety and comfort while in the vehicle. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000/Social Worker\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]