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The OPC Suicide Prevention Social Worker will be functioning as the Case Manager to support Mental Health Service programming. 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Licensure. Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Education. Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-11 Experience/Education: Candidates must possess at least 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; or a Doctoral degree. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate the following KSA's 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. Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. Additional information regarding the assignments at the full performance level can be found in the appendix referenced above. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community may be required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, carrying such item 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 community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The employee must possess a current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary. ["***Eligible applicants will be referred to the Hiring Official on a bi-weekly basis beginning on January 19, 2023.***Please note that this announcement may be subject to close prior to advertised close date should all applicable vacancies become filled. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Suicide Prevention Case Management (SP) Social Worker practices within the Mental Health Service. The Social Worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to onsite supervision such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:- Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, identify level of functioning, degree of impairment in occupational, social, academic, interpersonal and family, evaluate and assess lethality, perform mental status exams (MSE), identify psychiatric manifestations of various medical conditions, possess knowledge of the criteria and state laws for legal commitment and involuntary hospitalizations, ability to assess and intervene with patients of suspected abuse and provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. In addition, incumbent has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures in working with diverse populations and circumstances. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, psychiatric, medical and social problems, common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. Referrals typically originate from professional staff, from Veterans and/or their families seeking assistance, and from community professionals. The incumbent must determine the presenting problem, determine psychosocial factors impacting the problem, and determine obstacles to treatment and/or follow through with recommended treatments. Social work case management coordination with members of the treatment team is required, in order to ensure a collaborative effort to meet the treatment goals for a Veteran. The may require the incumbent to act as a liaison with community professionals regarding needed services for Veterans and/or their families. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. (Various tours of duty available) Telework: Available subject to supervisory approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants upon approval of hiring official. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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