Social Worker, Acute Psychiatry
The Social Worker, Acute Psychiatry, provides inpatient, transitional, and emergency acute psychiatric social work services to the Veteran population enrolled at VAPORHCS. These services include provision of high-quality psychosocial screening and assessment and diagnosis, psychosocial treatment and intervention, specialized case management and care coordination, advocacy, health education, supportive counseling and caregiver support, discharge and/or after-care planning with coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the client. In addition, the social worker performs other administrative and professional duties. The social worker works closely with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team to accomplish these duties. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
Screening/Assessment - The social worker develops an assessment of the Veteran in crisis that involves care coordination and consultation with medical, nursing management, non-VA legal/State, and social work staff in other care areas to which Veterans are referred, consulted, and/or also treated and/or co managed. In the Emergency Department, the social worker presents assessments to the Emergency Department Attending physician in the role of a mental health consultant. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for contributing to the interdisciplinary treatment plan and independently develops a social work plan that includes setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and/or family. Discharge Planning - The discharge plan may involve, but is not limited to, housing the homeless, engagement in recovery, increasing support system, symptom management, assisting with financial and disability resources, and locating treatment opportunities for Veterans in areas such as PTSD and MST. The social worker also consults with legal representatives (county and court) and assists with guardianships by educating patients and families about resources and procedures and by seeking funding assistance from county and state resources when no family is available. Crisis Intervention - Social workers in the acute psychiatric setting will make rapid assessments of a developing crisis that may involve danger to either staff or patients and are trained to take appropriate action in conjunction with other staff and the VA Police when necessary. Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Resource Usage/Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. The social worker will refer the Veteran to needed services. Advocacy - The social worker understands how to work with government and community agencies and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and/or family. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran and/or family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention - The social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives (both medical and psychiatric) and Living Will, and refers Veterans and/or families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of Care of Institutional and Non-Institutional Services - The social worker will act as a liaison between the program and partners in a Veteran's care. The social worker will provide feedback between programs to further enhance programming and Veterans' care. Group work - The social worker can provide evidenced-based group work in order for Veteran to develop the necessary skills to promote their recovery. Supportive Counseling - The social worker will provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illness (es), and/or onset of a catastrophic illness. Administrative Responsibilities - The social worker will enter all Veteran and/or family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates according to local policy and procedures. Encounter, intake, and discharge data will be recorded according to local program needs in compliance with applicable HIPPA and VHA privacy regulations. Work Schedule:
Tuesday - Saturday, 3pm to 11pm; May include Sundays, and holidays. Night Shift Differential/Holiday Premium Pay:
will be applicable Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education- Master's degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or other master's in science in social work (MSSW), social service administration (MSSA), social service (MSS), social administration (MSA) or social welfare as accredited by the CSWE. Those without the required master's degree will be disqualified. Licensure - Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations GS-11 Requirements:
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. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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. References:
VHA 5005, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred
Experience:
Experience with the mentally-ill population; Current Independent licensure. Physical Requirements:
Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight pulling (0.25 hours); Pulling hand over hand (0.25 hours); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (4 hours); Standing (3 hours); Repeated bending (1 hour); Climbing, legs only (1 hour); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental & emotional stability. Environmental Requirements:
Outside and inside; Excessive noise, intermittent; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others; Working alone.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Screening/Assessment - The social worker develops an assessment of the Veteran in crisis that involves care coordination and consultation with medical, nursing management, non-VA legal/State, and social work staff in other care areas to which Veterans are referred, consulted, and/or also treated and/or co managed. In the Emergency Department, the social worker presents assessments to the Emergency Department Attending physician in the role of a mental health consultant. Treatment Planning/Goal Setting - The social worker is responsible for contributing to the interdisciplinary treatment plan and independently develops a social work plan that includes setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran and/or family. Discharge Planning - The discharge plan may involve, but is not limited to, housing the homeless, engagement in recovery, increasing support system, symptom management, assisting with financial and disability resources, and locating treatment opportunities for Veterans in areas such as PTSD and MST. The social worker also consults with legal representatives (county and court) and assists with guardianships by educating patients and families about resources and procedures and by seeking funding assistance from county and state resources when no family is available. Crisis Intervention - Social workers in the acute psychiatric setting will make rapid assessments of a developing crisis that may involve danger to either staff or patients and are trained to take appropriate action in conjunction with other staff and the VA Police when necessary. Referral to Service Providers - Throughout the course of treatment the social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. Resource Usage/Development - The social worker is responsible for using the current social work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of Veterans. The social worker will refer the Veteran to needed services. Advocacy - The social worker understands how to work with government and community agencies and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and/or family. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran and/or family to advocate on their own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention - The social worker provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives (both medical and psychiatric) and Living Will, and refers Veterans and/or families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Coordination of Care of Institutional and Non-Institutional Services - The social worker will act as a liaison between the program and partners in a Veteran's care. The social worker will provide feedback between programs to further enhance programming and Veterans' care. Group work - The social worker can provide evidenced-based group work in order for Veteran to develop the necessary skills to promote their recovery. Supportive Counseling - The social worker will provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic/disabling illness (es), and/or onset of a catastrophic illness. Administrative Responsibilities - The social worker will enter all Veteran and/or family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates according to local policy and procedures. Encounter, intake, and discharge data will be recorded according to local program needs in compliance with applicable HIPPA and VHA privacy regulations. Work Schedule:
Tuesday - Saturday, 3pm to 11pm; May include Sundays, and holidays. Night Shift Differential/Holiday Premium Pay:
will be applicable Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education- Master's degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or other master's in science in social work (MSSW), social service administration (MSSA), social service (MSS), social administration (MSA) or social welfare as accredited by the CSWE. Those without the required master's degree will be disqualified. Licensure - Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations GS-11 Requirements:
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. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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. References:
VHA 5005, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred
Experience:
Experience with the mentally-ill population; Current Independent licensure. Physical Requirements:
Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight pulling (0.25 hours); Pulling hand over hand (0.25 hours); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (4 hours); Standing (3 hours); Repeated bending (1 hour); Climbing, legs only (1 hour); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental & emotional stability. Environmental Requirements:
Outside and inside; Excessive noise, intermittent; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others; Working alone.
- Department:
0185 Social Work - Salary Range:
$68,309 to $88,801 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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