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The Domiciliary Social Worker provides consultation, assessment, treatment, and case management services at an advanced practice level to eligible veterans and their family members to meet biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs.
07/31/2023 to 05/31/2024
$64,251 - $101,055 per year
GS 9 - 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
11
No
No
CBTD-12040915-23-TM
740273600
This is an open Continuous announcement. to establish a standing register of qualified applicants to refer to the hiring manager. Referral lists will be created on a weekly basis. Please see the "Next Steps" section found under the "How to Apply" tab for information regarding cutoff dates. Final disposition will be completed once the position has been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement.
Veterans are treated by the clinical social worker are those admitted to the Homeless Domiciliary Program located on the Brockton campus of the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS). Services are provided on site in the Homeless Domiciliary Program in Brockton.
Team Leadership
The social worker functions as a team leader and provides initial and ongoing assessments and case management, completes ongoing risk assessments, and develops and implements treatment and discharge plans for all veterans on their treatment team. The incumbent also completes NEPEC admission and discharge forms, as well as other documentation required by VA Central Office and accreditation bodies. As a team leader, the social worker monitors the care of veterans on their team on an ongoing basis and coordinates the activities of members of the team. The incumbent works on an ongoing basis with an interdisciplinary team to evaluate the needs of the veteran and will submit referrals for additional treatment. The social worker consults with the program manager as needed to complete assigned duties.
Assessment and Screening
The social worker responds to consults (for new referrals) from a variety of sources and assists in the screening of veterans applying for admission to the Domiciliary. The social worker will participate in the screening committee to provide input to decisions about admission. The social worker will communicate with veterans or their referring clinicians about the decisions of the committee. The social worker may correspond with veterans waiting for admission to the Domiciliary to monitor their status.
Treatment Planning
The social worker is responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive treatment plan is developed for veterans assigned to their team. The social work collaboratively develops a comprehensive treatment plan with the veteran, establishing achievable treatment goals and objectives while incorporating clinical outcome monitoring (i.e., measurementbased care). The social worker will use the comprehensive team treatment planning process to address all pertinent identified problem areas, including dangerousness and risk; psychiatric and substance use issues; medical and whole-health concerns affecting life-functioning; and psychosocial and community involvement concerns.
Counseling/Treatment
The social worker provides individual and group therapy services to veterans in the Domiciliary related to substance use and other mental health problems, as well as homelessness. The social worker assists and encourages veterans and significant others in facing problems, thinking them through, evaluating the situation realistically, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve problems.
Case Management
The social worker works with community agencies and other services both within and outside the VA on behalf of veterans. The social worker develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations having responsibilities for veterans. The incumbent maintains a current and productive network of referral resources. The social worker makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals and arrives at a reasoned conclusion as to the preferred course of action. The social worker is responsible for educating veterans about the available services, identifying contacts, and/or making the appropriate referrals for veterans.
Education/Health promotion and prevention
The social worker will provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advanced Directives/Living Will, and other resources as they apply, relying on motivational interviewing strategies, and a whole-health, patient-centered-care approach.
Crisis Intervention
The social worker is experienced in conducting risk assessments and developing individualized crisis management and Safety Plans to address the veteran's physical and mental health concerns in the safest way possible
Coordination of non-institutional and institutional services
The social worker is responsible for reviewing the progress notes from the other clinicians to accurately determine the needs of each veteran.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F03961, F03962
EDRP Authorized: Contact Soundeep.Patel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance level)
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
(2) 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:
(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.
Assignments [Full Performance Level]. 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. They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable, achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Social workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community.
Preferred Experience: Experience with case management ; Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders
DEVIATIONS.
Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed:
1. Job title
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé. Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
Cover Letter
SF50 (If Applicable)
Licensure
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C | Veterans Affairs.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/31/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12040915.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/740273600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - 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 whole health care to Veterans?
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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 and leadership positions 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. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http:// www.vacareers.va.gov/
