Social Worker
Location: Saint George Utah
Description: Department Of Veterans Affairs is currently interviewing Social Worker right now, this vacancy will be placed in Utah. More details about this vacancy opportunity kindly see the descriptions. Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 852472
To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the! men and women who are America's Veterans.
How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidateÂ's education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. KEY REQUIREMENTS
U. S. Citizenship
Must pass pre-employmen! t examination
English Language Proficiency required
De! signated and-or Random Drug Testing required
Background and-or Security Investigation required DUTIES:
At the GS-11 social worker level, the incumbent will provide outreach for readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans and their family members in the Vet Center program. Readjustment counseling includes individual and group counseling to Veterans and family members over issues of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and related psychological difficulties, marital and family issues, substance abuse, employment, military sexual trauma, homelessness, bereavement, and other issues impacting a Veteran's ability to successfully re-enter civilian society. At the GS-09 level, incumbents will perform similar duties but under closer supervision including client intake and developing client treatment plans and will work alongside a licensed social worker in the program area.
NOTE: This is a
temporary appointment not-to-exceed 13 months and may be ex! tended
without further competition. Temporary appointments are non-status,
non-permanent appointments of limited duration. Temporary employees
whose appointments are longer than one year, are eligible to earn leave
and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including
health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees
Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage.
Work Schedule: Part-time; 40 hours a pay period (20 hours a week); Monday-Friday, schedule to be set
Location of Position: RCS Vet Center in St. George, Utah
Recruitment OR Relocation expenses/incentives have not been authorized for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. citizenship
Education: Candidates must have a masterÂ's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Gr! aduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not m! eet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masterÂ's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to the GS-11 level Social Worker level must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masterÂ's degree level. EXCEPTION: The 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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordanc! e with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Physical Requirements: Candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment physical.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-09 level Social Worker : Individuals assigned as GS0-9 social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification. Social workers at the GS-09 entry level are typically assigned to VHA program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Since these social workers are not practicing at an independent level, they should not be assigned to program areas where independent practice is required, such as in a CBOC, unless there is a licensed social worker in the program area who can provide supervision for practice. GS-09 social workers provide psychosocial services in the assigned area under supervision.
In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):
1. Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological), and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture.
2. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills.! Work with more complex problems is done under close supervision. With guidance from the social work supervisor, ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patientÂ's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
3. Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and, under supervision, 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 with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
5. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment! procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/inju! ries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.
6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.
***To receive credit for the above KSAs, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities must be documented in your resume or supplemental documents that you have uploaded for this job announcement.***
GS-11 level Social Worker : This is the full performance level for social workers. GS-11 social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. They are assigned to all program areas, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, candidates must meet one of the ! following:
Specialized Experience: Requires a minimum of one year of post-MSW degree professional social work experience in the field of health care social work. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a professional social worker, as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Experience must have been obtained AFTER earning a Master's Degree in Social Work. Part-time experience as a professional social worker is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a social worker employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.
OR
In addition to meeting basic requirement! s, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be! substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. You must submit an official or unofficial transcript to receive credit for this education.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patientÂ's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team.
3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversi! fied backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture.
4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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.
5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques.
6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their! license or certification. For example, some states may require social ! workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure.
7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements.
8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.
9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA.
***To receive credit for the above KSAs, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities must be documented in your resume or supplemental documents that you have uploade! d for this job announcement.***
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work requires standing, walking, light lifting and carrying of items. The work also requires the use of both hands, the ability to read without strain (far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other), and the ability to hear (aid permitted).
References : Input applicable reference and links. For example: VA Handbook 5005/50, Part II, Appendix G39, SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD , dated February 2012 , at: http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must r! eport only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accredi! ting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
Veterans' Preference:
When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form! 214 (Member-4 Copy) or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx . HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome. BENEFITS:
Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dolla! rs and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance wo! rk and life. For more information please visit us at http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. OTHER INFORMATION:
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
- .
If you were eligible to this vacancy, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department Of Veterans Affairs.
If you interested on this vacancy just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This vacancy starts available on: Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:30:59 GMT