Social Worker; Addiction Services

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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 review of the EDRP application.

• Applicants 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.
• 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). 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 SW Licensure by State 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.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 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-11 (Full Performance Level) 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.
• GS-9 experience includes:
  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 advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver, assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths—weaknesses—coping skills and psychosocial acuity—in collaboration with the patient—family—and interdisciplinary treatment teams, maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals.
• In addition to meeting the 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…