Social Worker, Mental Health

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) as determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete 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
• English Language:
  The applicant must be proficient in spoken and written English; per VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Chapter 3 – Section A – Paragraph 3j:
  No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. – chapters 73 or 74 – to serve in a direct patient‑care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education:
  
  Master’s degree in social work from an accredited 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
• Must provide copy of transcript(s) with application
• Licensure:
  Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑185 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 on the OHRM website
• Must provide copy of license(s) with application
• 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 up to the full performance level; for grade levels above the full performance level the candidate must be licensed or certified to the full performance level
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Must have worked with those experiencing homelessness to assist Veterans with obtaining and maintaining independent lives in a community setting
• Applicants with the following certification from American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN) are highly preferred:
  Basic Life Support (BLS)
• The selected employee will be required to receive certification prior to assuming clinical responsibilities and ensure current certification after employment is maintained
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have the following (your resume will be utilized to adjudicate responses)
• Social Worker – GS‑9 Level: Experience, Education, and Licensure; none beyond the basic requirements and demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include: a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills; b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan; c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals;
  
  d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agencies; e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and side effects, and medical terminology
• Social Worker – GS‑11 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…