This Social Work position is in Social Work services at the Bedford Healthcare Systems located at the Bedford, Massachusetts location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. The Social Worker serves as the primary facilitator for admissions into the VA Bedford HCS Domiciliary (Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program), providing comprehensive care to a Veteran population with a history of homelessness, substance abuse and complex mental health needs. 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: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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. 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. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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-09 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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: See VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. ["The Social Worker is responsible for assigned caseload and for properly screening / assessing Veterans, to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health. Duties include but not limited to: Reviews, assesses and updates treatment plans and relevant data from social workers, case managers, managed care staff, and discharge planners to identify the Veteran's needs; Interprets data and information presented to determine viable treatment options, assess high risk factors, and determines the need for various service; Serves as voting member on the Addiction Recovery Services Unified Screening Committee; Uses professional judgment and clinical practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis; Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan of care involving the veteran and family and/or significant others; Performs insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric and primary care diagnoses; Assists veterans with identifying and utilizing a suitable means of treatment to cope with stressful situations; Develops psychosocial treatment plans, with the input of the Veteran and the interdisciplinary team; Makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA services; Establishes a continuing relationship with the Veteran; evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate; Makes recommendations for care and changes to interdisciplinary treatment plan; Adjusts the psychosocial treatment plan and interventions based on changing needs and responses to interventions; Initiates and effects changes in methods of interventions to promote efficient practice and improve patient outcomes; Deals constructively with both positive and negative reactions, understands disparate values, and reaches veterans from varying social and ethnic groups Provides advice, guidance, emotional support and other assistance as needed by the veteran in this capacity; Assists and encourages veterans in facing problems, thinking them through, evaluating the situation realistically, considering alternative courses of action, and arriving at plans for using resources to resolve barriers or problems; and Other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Telework: Ad hoc) telework - An employee who is scheduled to work at an alternative worksite with supervisory approval on an occasional, non-routine basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 518-F2344 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Incomplete applications will not be considered."]

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