Social Worker-Community Living Center

Summary The Community Living Care (CLC) Social Worker is assigned to the St. Cloud VA Health Care System Rehabilitation Extended Care Integrated Clinical Community (REC) (ICC). The incumbent is an integral part of the overall VHA health care program and provides service to Veterans and their families.

Qualifications

• 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.
  • English Language Proficiency:
    Must be proficient in spoken and written English per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j.
  • Education Requirement:
    Master of Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
  • Note:
    
    Graduates from schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until fully accredited.
  • A doctoral degree in social work may not replace the master’s degree.
  • Copy of transcripts required.
  • Licensure Requirement:
    Must be licensed or certified by a state to practice independently at master’s level.
  • For GS‑9 positions, licensure may be waived pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception applies only at the GS‑9 grade level. Social workers not yet licensed must become licensed within three years of appointment.
  • Grade Determinations: GS‑9 – None beyond basic requirements.
  • Most states require two years of post‑MSW experience to take licensure exams; VHA provides one additional year.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • Ability to work with Veterans and family members from diverse backgrounds using counseling skills.
    • Assess psychosocial functioning and needs, formulate and implement treatment plans.
    • Implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups.
    • Utilize supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
    • Establish effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies.
    • Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
    • Knowledge of acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications, and medical terminology.
  • GS‑11 Experience and Licensure:
    • Requires at least one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade or a doctoral degree in social work (substituting for one year of experience).
    • Must hold licensure or certification at the independent practice level.
  • References: For more information on this qualification standard – https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
  • Physical Requirements:
    
    You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation.
  • Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Conduct behavioral health and mental health biopsychosocial assessments.
• Make professional judgments regarding clinical impressions, treatment approaches, and planning.
• Coordinate with internal and external professionals to ensure appropriate transitions of care.
• Maintain knowledge of VA and Veterans benefits, community resources, and referral processes.
• Advocate to overcome barriers to care or services.
• Lead discussions on goals of care, advance directives, organ donation, and guardianship documentation.
• Assess signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Practice in accordance with VA and discipline‑specific ethical requirements within licensure limits.
• Complete on‑call duties and transportation of a Veteran as assigned.

• Communicate effectively in writing and orally with varied backgrounds.
• Utilize computer systems and internet for remote communication when chosen by Veterans.
• Serve on supervisor approved committees, work groups, and task forces locally or nationally.
• Collaborate in performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures.
• Attend all required administrative and clinical meetings.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical records per VA guidelines.
• Maintain data and statistical compilations for accreditation bodies such as CARF and Joint Commission.
• Perform other duties as assigned and assist other…