Social Worker- Healthcare Homeless Veterans Outreach

Summary

This is a Mental Health Clinical Social Work position in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program with an emphasis on outreach – and case/Care management and treatment services for homeless veterans.

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 Proficiency:
  Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education
• You must possess 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
• NOTE:
  
  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
• You 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
• For assignments at the GS‑9 level – VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified – pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent‑master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• 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
• Social Worker GS‑9 Experience – Education – and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• In addition to the experience above – the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  Ability to utilize a Veteran-centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans – their family members – caregivers – and survivors
• 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
• 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
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients – staff – and representatives of community agencies
• 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
• Social Worker GS‑11 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
• OR 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above –…