Summary

Outpatient General Mental Health (GMH) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team-based care provides Veteran-centered - recovery-oriented - and evidence-based care. The incumbent in this position functions as a Care Coordinator for Veterans on a BHIP team and is responsible for coordination and continuity of care for Veterans receiving services throughout the Mental Health Service (MHS).

Qualifications

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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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
• Note: 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
• Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination - unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California - which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• Experience: At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice
• Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
• This includes individual - group - and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area - utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area - as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession - and to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• The Social Worker applies diagnostic methods and comprehensive - evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions - including individual - family - and group psychotherapy to a full range of patient problems in his/her work setting - including video-to-home services to provide access to the Wilmington VA Medical Center and to the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) through telehealth as needed to support mental health access within the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)
• Functions of the Position: Clinical Functions: May be required to work an irregular tour of duty - including weekends - depending on the needs of the service
• Provides a full range of psychological assessment and treatment services of psychological disorders for a wide range of patients
• Provides education to patients - family members - and significant others about psychological disorders and treatments
• Develops - implements - and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan - including assessments - for an assigned caseload of patients
• Provides comprehensive - evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions - including individual - family - and group psychotherapy
• Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
• Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by Social Work Services
• Complies with all Computer Patient Record System (CPRS) documentation procedures - including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g. - entering diagnostic and procedure codes - closing encounters and signing notes/documentation within 48 business hours of delivery of services)
• Actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and actively participate through collaboration with Veterans and family as well as interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions
• Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services
• Possesses knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities - provide educational classes - and/or supportive groups for Veterans and families
• Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources - VA benefits and specialty programs - and advance directives
• This includes the incumbent's knowledge of the process for accessing and/or coordinating community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs - and community programs
• Possesses and demonstrates an ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing with people from varied backgrounds
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• Possesses a current and valid driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary
• Administrative Functions: Is responsible for supporting the mission - policies - and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs - the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) - and the facility
• Is willing to serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the Program Director for General Mental Health and Recovery
• Is mindful of keeping their supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility
• Is responsible for furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment
• Is able to provide assistance with the orientation and learning of less experienced SocialWorkers and - if interested - to serve as a preceptor for SocialWork students
• Is able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of software applications for drafting documents and data management as well as other computer systems in use by the VHA
• Is able to maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Social Work standards - Joint Commission standards - and facility standards
• Must provide documentation in the patient's medical record in accordance with the time frame required by the medical center's policies and the requirements of the Joint Commission
• Will receive training and utilize tele-mental health services as needed to assist the Wilmington CBOCs
• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required