Social Worker – Inpatient Medicine

Salt Lake City, Utah, Utah, As a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the incumbent coordinates a range of services for Veteran’s and their families under Acute Medicine, telemetry, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Services provided include psychosocial assessments, advance care planning, general support, and discharge planning to appropriate referrals within the community. Provides professional, independent social work services in the In-patient medicine position. 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: 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/. 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.

For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Social Worker Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge 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.

GS-11 Social Worker 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. 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 (KSA’s): 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 5005/120, 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 in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Social Worker must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the social worker or others. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. [“VA Careers – Social Work: https://youtube. com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members Formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veteran’s problems, strengths, weaknesses, and coping skills Collaborate with the Veteran, family, and interdisciplinary treatment team to achieve treatment goals Work with the interdisciplinary team for the Acute Medicine floor, Telemetry, and the ICU in formulating discharge plans for Veterans prior to their discharge Coordinate short- and long-term nursing home placements under VA contract, Community Care Network contract, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay Educate Veterans and their family members regarding financial considerations of varying payer sources for Skilled Nursing Facilities Coordinate with community psychiatric facilities for Veteran placements when needed Possess general knowledge of Veteran benefits and services relating to VA programs Refer to VA programs to include Home Based Primary Care, GHELP, Medical Foster Care, Respite Care, Homeless programs, and Mental Health Facilitate referrals based upon the Veteran’s needs and eligibility Have working knowledge of community and VA resources Assist with VA benefit applications, public assistance, and Social Security Maintain knowledge around Utah Advance Health Care Directive Act and provide Advance Directive counseling Have knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture have on individuals Communicate effectively with diverse backgrounds and cultures Have knowledge of medical diagnoses including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology Have general knowledge regarding mental health diagnoses and ability to assess the needs of the veterans based on these diagnoses Document social work interventions and activities in each Veteran’s clinical record utilizing Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and ensure appropriate warm hand off when transferring Veteran care to other services or community partners Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families who are experiencing stress related to medical issues, and/or social problems, by utilizing clinical skills Facilitate family/team conferences as necessary to assist Veteran’s and their family members in dealing with concerns that accompany illness Assist Veteran’s and their family members with coping with grief and loss, terminal illnesses, and death and provide brief therapy as appropriate Assist staff with identifying ways to demonstrate cultural responsiveness and sensitive to clients of varying cultures and backgrounds Provide education to families about obtaining Guardianship of vulnerable Veterans Be knowledgeable about the process of appointing a Power of Attorney (POA) and understand the allowable actions and limitation that pertain to a POA Coordinate with Office of Public Guardian (OPG) when a vulnerable Veteran needs an appointed guardian Providing clinical coverage of other Specialty Care Social Work team members when needed Maintain required data and statistical compilations to comply with policies and procedures Treat customers and team members in a courteous and respectful manner Handle conflict constructively and appropriately Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 56105-O, 56106-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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