Social Worker (STAR)

Summary

The Substance Treatment And Recovery Program (STAR) operates under the Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL) for the Fayetteville Healthcare System (FVACHS). The incumbent provides clinical mental health support to Veterans receiving services in the STAR Program. Incumbent provides substance use disorder (SUD) specific treatment to Veteran patients across the life-span.

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:

• 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)
• 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 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
• Exception
• VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade 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: 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-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 Basic Requirements for Licensure
• 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 G39
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with SUD treatment population
• Additional certification or licensure for SUD treatment highly preferred
• Familiarity and proficiency with computers and related technologies preferred
• Physical Requirements
• No special physical qualifications are required to perform the work
• The work requires the ability to move around the office as well as the facility campus
• The work is performed primarily in offices - meeting rooms.

Duties

• Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently screen - assess - implement treatment modalities for a SUD specific treatment population
• Treatment interventions include but are not limited to psychotherapy - psychosocial counseling - measurement based care and will be evidence-based in nature
• Independently conducts psychosocial and/or diagnostic assessments including use of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5th Edition - Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) as the basis for diagnostic impressions and conclusions
• Develops person-centered - culturally sensitive treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran to address the mental health needs of patients
• The GS-11 STAR Social Worker independently monitors effectiveness of treatment interventions and utilizes ongoing transitional/ discharge planning
• Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures
• This includes acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology
• The Social Worker links the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - in order to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• They conduct timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs - evaluate risk - and initiate safety plan as appropriate
• Coordinates with the facility Suicide Prevention Coordinator where clinically warranted for a Veteran patient under their care
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans experiencing SUD and the impact of social drivers of health (SDOH) on health care and adherence to treatment plan
• Ability to evaluate one's own practice through professional peer review - case conferences and other organizational means
• Incumbent is able to communicate effectively- both orally and in writing- with people from varied backgrounds
• Incumbent completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at program - service line - and medical center levels
• General knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs - service-connected compensation - and non-service connected pension
• Facilitates referrals based upon Veteran needs and eligibility
• Incumbent is able to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans - their representative - visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Incumbent is able to provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately
• Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing
• data management and other computer systems - especially those programs in use by VHA
• The Social Worker at the GS-11 full performance level complies with national and local performance mandates - including timely health care screening and completion of applicable clinical reminders for all patients
• Incumbent promotes effective transitional discharge planning to and from an outpatient level of care
• Coordinates with internal VA stakeholders to community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs and community agency programs
• They link the Veteran with services - resources - and opportunities - in order to maximize the Veteran's independence - health - and well-being
• Incumbent provides professional - independent social work services in the assigned area
• Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse - neglect - exploitation and/or intimate partner violence
• use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies - handbooks or directives
• and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver
• GS-11 Social Workers serve on committees - work groups - and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community
• They provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and health profession trainees on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans
• They offer professional opinions based on experience - expertise and modeling of effective social work practice skills
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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