Summary

The Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH) Social Worker in the Allentown CBOC is responsible for the provision in case management - individual and group therapy - clinical treatment - crisis intervention - advocacy - discharge planning - and the coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies. Will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Qualifications

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education
• 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
• Licensure
• Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA 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 Determination: Social Worker - GS-11 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
• 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: 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: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-39 Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting - bending - stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office - hospital and community
• The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis
• Whenever possible - carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting
• In carrying out responsibilities - operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required
• The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020
• It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans - family members - representatives of community health - welfare and law enforcement agencies.

Duties

• The incumbent in this position is responsible for: Contributing to the development if the treatment planning and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran - family members/significant others and other Outpatient Mental Health clinic staff
• Throughout the courses of treatment - acting as the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources
• The outpatient mental health worker will become proficient in the acute inpatient psychiatric unit as to be able to assist if needed for treatment coverage purposes needs
• Educating the veteran and family members/significant others on available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker
• Using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans
• S/he will refer the veteran to necessary services
• Understanding the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver
• When appropriate and feasible - the incumbent will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate ion his/her own behalf - thus - fostering a sense of independence and empowerment
• Making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admissions to mental health inpatient programs
• The Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis
• Providing education related to VA and community resources - entitlements - Advance Directives/Living Will - and referring veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs
• Reviewing progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran - The incumbent will educate the veteran - their family members/significant others - and the team of all options available to them - and will collaborate with the veteran and family member -
• significant other on the preferred option
• Providing the veterans and their family members/significant other with ongoing supportive counseling
• The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with severe mental illness
• Providing individual - family - and group evidence-based therapies to veterans
• Entering all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates
• This information will be entered in a complete - confidential - and professional manner to insure information on the veteran is shared with other VA staff - and will be reviewed on a regular basis
• Establishing positive working relationships with employees - volunteers - consumers - and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies
• Attending all appropriate staff meetings (i.e
• team meetings - Social Work staff meetings - Social Work supervision meetings - committee meetings - workgroups - etc. - as appropriate) Participating in activities that obtain feedback from clients and working to enhance services as necessary
• Performing other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP: Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required