Summary

The 32nd St. Clinic of the Phoenix VA Health Care System is in search of a Social Worker who assists in the Caring of Older Adults and Caregivers at Home (COACH) Program - as well as the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The Social Worker is responsible for providing Veterans and their caregivers with high quality case management - consultation - clinical treatment - and advocacy. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be willing to travel to make home visits - as this is a requirement of the position.

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
• 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
• 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://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work
• Licensure: Candidates must be licensed or certified to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• 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
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level - 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
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification
• Social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Loss of Licensure or Certification
• Once licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment
• Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• Grandfathering Provision: 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 stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• Social Worker - GS-09 Experience - Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members
• 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 - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - cultural - ethnic - educational and other diversified backgrounds
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e
• acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan
• Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in 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 students - and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment
• Preferred Experience: Experience with Geriatric population - and experience with those with dementia
• Experience providing home visits - as well as working with/ educating caregivers is preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required - as is performing activities involving sitting - walking - and standing - bending and carrying such items as books - papers - and files
• In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans - their families - representatives of the community
• The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.

Duties

• 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection
• This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actions
• Applicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty
• What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration
• Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager
• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offer
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructions
• After meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start date
• Onboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service
• If selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing
• Duties include - but are not limited to : Provides home-based dementia care services to veterans who possess neurocognitive disorders and may present frequent and serious behavioral symptoms
• Provides services to primary caregivers who may experience significant stress and coping difficulties with their multiple caregiving challenges
• Provides ongoing psychoeducation & support to maximize quality of life issues
• Practices at an advanced professional level & has knowledge in the dementia care field
• Provides psychosocial services in the Veteran's homes - clinic - community - via telephone & telehealth visits
• Possesses the knowledge & ability to independently implement treatment modalities - identify level of functioning - degree of impairment in various settings - evaluate & assess lethality - perform mental status exams (MSE) - identify psychiatric manifestations of various medical conditions
• Possesses high level of skill and expertise to establish & maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and/or their caregivers
• Independently works with Veterans & their caregivers experiencing a wide range of complicated medical - psychiatric - emotional - behavioral - and psychosocial problems
• Independently completes thorough psychosocial assessments to determine the mental health diagnosis - psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and/or their caregivers
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through collaboration with Veterans and family - in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions
• Facilitates action for community placements through collaboration with Veterans & their caregivers - as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members
• Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their caregivers and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services
• Possesses knowledge & ability to implement psychotherapeutic treatment modalities - provide educational classes - and/or treatment and supportive groups for Veterans and caregivers
• Provides consultation & education to Veterans and their caregivers regarding community resources - VA benefits and specialty programs - and advance directives
• Collaborates with other treatment teams & staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans and/or their caregivers and the impact of the identified psychosocial problems on the Veteran's health care planning and compliance with treatment
• Maintains knowledge of Veteran's benefits & services - community resources - and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies
• Possesses skills & knowledge to provide case management services to Veterans and their caregivers throughout the continuum of care
• Acts as a liaison between VA & community resources - to include marketing and public relation duties as needed
• Performs other duties - as needed to meet the needs of the service - facility and/or the mission of the VA
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 0730am - 1600pm (Schedule is flexible) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required