Social Worker- Veterans Readjustment Counselor

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

• 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 both spoken and written English 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 if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work
• 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
• 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
• 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:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-9 (Entry Level):
  Experience - Education and Licensure:
  None beyond the basic requirements
• This is the entry level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs):
  In addition - the candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills
• 2
• Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed
• 3
• Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals
• This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques
• 4
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies
• 5
• Fundamental knowledge 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
• 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
• This is the full performance level
• ~OR~ Education and Licensure:
  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…