Social Worker, Mental Health

Summary

The clinical and program activities assumed under this position are conducted as part of the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Program – working in a Mental Health Intensive Community Model (MHICM) Team under Mental Health Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The incumbent will practice independently and with minimal supervision to provide Mental Health psychosocial rehabilitation interventions to eligible Veterans to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs.

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:
  
  Must 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 /T38
  
  Hybrid/.
• 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.
• 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 – GS-11 (1) 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.
• NOTE:
  
  For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.
• OR (2)
  
  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.
• (3) 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 and coordinate services; skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio‑economic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures; skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities 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…