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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. 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written or spoken English. Education: 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://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 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 by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. 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. Preferred Experience: Serves as the point of contact for all inquiries regarding transition of post 9/11 Service Members and Veterans seeking health care from the facility. Provide administrative oversight to include planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures; developing program goals and objectives and monitoring, operating and evaluating the functioning of the program. Ensures all post 9/11 Service Members and Veterans are screened for the need for case management services and that those in need of nurse and/or social worker case managers are assigned accordingly particularly those who are severely injured or ill. Establish/maintain ongoing education for patients, agencies, stakeholders and staff to facilitate understanding of medical treatment, clinical practice Certification in Case Management is preferred, not required. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level. GS-09:None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): (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, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) 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. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) 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: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, 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting/carrying (under 15 lbs); Walking/Standing (up to 5 hours); Kneeling (half hour); Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability ["This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 12/19/2022. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Post-9/11 M2VA Transition Patient Advocate/Social Work Case Manager provides comprehensive social work case management service to Post-9/11 transitioning, established Service Members and Veterans (SM/Vs) and their families across the continuum of care during the various phases of readjustment to civilian life. The position is primarily community-based to support outreach to Veteran affiliated organizations as and colleges/universities serving the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) Veterans. The incumbent independently provides an array of social work interventions including high-risk screening, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, resource education, and referral with an established case load and serves as back up to other Program Case Managers. Case Management and outreach services are provided in the community, healthcare settings, both inpatient and ambulatory. The position serves as the point of contact for Service Members separating with a Military Treatment Facility Referral to assure health care access and adjustment support. The primary responsibility of this position is to facilitate outreach within the WTVAHCS catchment area. Outreach is accomplished in cooperation with key collaborators at colleges and universities, Veteran Service Organizations and other community resources frequented by Veterans. Collaborating with DoD, VA and community partners to plan, execute, and participate in outreach events as assigned by the Post-9/11 M2VA Case Management Program Manager. This may include but is not limited to events sponsored by the Armed Services (e.g., Yellow Ribbon, Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA)), and Transition Assistance Program), community, and VA-sponsored events. Outreach activities can include registration for VA health care and providing case management assessment and referrals for mental health treatment and community resources. Education to service organizations and campus communities to enhance understanding of Veterans' unique strengths and challenges through education and training delivered to the campus community. The position carries a small caseload as the primary contact for Military Treatment Referrals. Military Treatment Facility Referral coordination centers on contacting active duty Servicemembers and Veterans prior to transfer for inpatient admission and initial outpatient appointments to answer any questions about upcoming appointments. Assisting to resolve any issues at the local level to include ensuring appointments are scheduled, authorizations are obtained, family resources are secured, and any psychosocial issues are addressed (temporary lodging, home modifications, community resources, in-home services, etc.). Continually assessing the need for a change in case management services and adjusting the level of intervention as appropriate based on the medical and psychosocial needs of the Veteran and family. Supporting and educating the patient and family, referring Veterans to VA program and services, referring Veterans to home and community based services, visiting Veterans in their homes if appropriate, and crisis intervention. Working closely with the Post-9/11 M2VA Case Management Program Manager to ensure all needs are met. Educating the patient and family to understand who the primary POC/Lead Coordinator is for questions and concerns and providing contact information. Coordinating any necessary care and services at the VA medical facility that the active duty Servicemember will use while on convalescent leave. The Post-9/11 M2VA Social Work Case Manager at that VA medical facility will make contact with the Servicemember as an introduction. If the convalescent leave is planned for 30 days or less and the Servicemember does not plan to use local VA services during that time, the Post-9/11 M2VA Social Work case manager will continue to be available to address issues or concerns. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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