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VA Caribbean Healthcare System is looking to fill two (2) Senior Social Worker positions through their facilities. One (1) Social Worker will report to the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (San Juan) and one (1) Social Worker will report to both Mayaguez OPC and Ponce OPC. The incumbents will be assigned to the Primary Care Patient Aligned Care team (PACT).
Learn more about this agency10/09/2024 to 10/17/2024
$86,962 - $113,047 per year
GS 12
2 vacancies in the following locations:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
No
CBTC-12555441-24-YO
813321100
Current excepted service federal employees.
Current federal employees of this agency.
This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees and current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. First consideration will be given to VA Caribbean Healthcare System employees (station 672).
The incumbent is assigned to Primary Care Patient Aligned Care team (PACT) in the VA Caribbean Health Care System. PACT is a comprehensive team which delivers primary care to veterans with the focus of prevention, health promotion, coordination and chronic disease management.
The incumbent must use his/her skills in assessing and treating the psychosocial problems of these Veterans identifying, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, to formulate a plan to meet those PACT teams under the VICTOR model "Veterans Integrated Care Treatment Optimizing Resilience", social workers are named as Behavioral Health Consultants. The BHC responsibilities includes the assessment of mental health and psychosocial problems and the provision of brief evidence based behavioral treatment interventions and counseling with veterans and/or their family members as they go through crisis events of life changing processes.
The incumbent tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Will conduct psychosocial/mental health assessment of Veterans of situations that cause distress, often impacting the health condition and creating barriers to care. Social worker must be knowledgeable of health conditions related to aging process, mental health and social environment. Home visits may be done, to assess housing conditions, physical limitations, source of family support, care needs, and other issues that affect their treatment, recovery and/or physical/emotional health.
- Is responsible for assist in the development of a care plan and setting achievable goals oriented plans with the with the Veterans and family members/caregiver in collaboration with all PACT team providers. The incumbent is responsible for planning and organizing work, coordinating with interdisciplinary staff, review and coordinate all the phases of the continuity of care of veterans served. Also, will address the unique needs of homebound, frail, disabling/chronic and/or dying veterans.
- The incumbent is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs for non-institutional, institutional services/programs and entitlements. The incumbent is responsible for educating the veterans and/or caregiver of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker.
- Responsible for developing, updating and using current social worker resources within VA and community social service programs.
- Acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family members and/or caregivers.
- Will conduct crisis assessment and develop a crisis management plan. Also, will be able to identify safety issues for high-risk patients' populations establishing the appropriate clinical services and referrals. The Columbia Screening Tool will be used to asses veteran's suicidal ideas. If a Columbia is positive or in an event of a psychiatric emergency, social worker will complete the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE) and will follow the protocol of his/her respective PACT clinic.
- Serves as a preceptor for social work trainees as part of their clinical responsibility, collaborating in the formation of new professional. Incumbent also provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.
- Will educate the veteran, their families and the team of all the options available to them and will collaborate with the veteran and family on the preferred options.
- Will provide the veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling.
- Will enter all Veteran/family contact with the Veterans' written and verbal consent in the electronic records system (CPRS). Will establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships. Will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program.
- Is responsible for his/her own professional growth through continued education for ensuring continued education.
- Is responsible to maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment, clinic panels and consistent with Social Work Standards, Joint Commission and facility Standards.
Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: Senior Social Worker - PACT BHS Consultant 61014F
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.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
This occupation is listed on the OIG Determination of Veterans Health Administration's Occupational Staffing Shortages fiscal year (FY) 2024 dated October 03, 2023. Therefore, is vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1) Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2) All other VA employee.
3) All other applicants.
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.
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:
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 10/17/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12555441.
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/813321100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
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?
Come work for the VA Caribbean Healthcare System where we provide services to veterans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These islands enjoy year-round summer, and you can experience Caribbean culture, history and diverse activities. As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico offers the conveniences of the mainland and a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands is only 30 minutes away. Join us to experience the wonders of working and living in a tropical paradise.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf
