Social Worker-Outpatient PACT-Adrian CBOC

Veterans Health Administration • Adrian, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide social work services to PACT/ GM & Specialty clinics within VA Ann Arbor Healthcare Care System. Responsible for providing Outpatient Social Work services to Veterans who are receiving medical care predominately in the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Employs a complete range of social work methods, individually or with groups, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, and medical care coordination.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker.
• In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure.
• A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
• Works with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
• Assesses 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.
• Implements 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.
• Establishes 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
• Independently conducts 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.
• Independently implements 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.
• Provides consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients.

Responsibilities

• Professional social worker assigned to the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), Referrals typically originate from members of the interdisciplinary treatment team, from Veterans, families, caregivers, guardians, community professionals, and VA Ann Arbor staff members in the form of consults, phone calls, walk-ins, emails, and electronic medical record alerts.
• Referrals will be managed timely and appropriately using the Outpatient Social Work response protocol(s).
• Possess a working knowledge and experience in use of medical terminology, medical/mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses, common medications, and their side effects.
• Demonstrates a skill in assessment, intervention and treatment plan development when addressing the comprehensive psychosocial needs of the Veterans .
• Will assess the patient to identifying emotional, social, physical, familial, economic instability, and vocational needs that may be causing distress and impacting the health condition or creating barriers to the patient receiving recommended care/treatment.
• Stressors can include adjustment to the current medical condition, untreated or under-treated Mental Health or Substance Abuse condition, economic instability, legal problems, inadequate housing and transportation, abuse/neglect and exploitation.
• Must complete a thorough assessment to determine the underlying causes of the presenting issue(s), interpersonal and environmental factors, the patient's functional acuity and its effect on the patient's ability and desire to comply with treatment recommendations by the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide a thoughtful approach to assist the patient/ family to understand the contributing factors to the identified issue(s), discuss available short/long term solutions and/or resources, using a strengths-based empowerment model to formulate an appropriate patient centered intervention plan to reduce stressors, improve health and reach health related goals.
• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and actively participate through collaboration with Veterans/family/caregivers/Non-VA providers.
• Must be available to provide consultation to treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs of Veterans, the impact of the identified psychosocial barrier on the Veteran's health care planning and compliance with treatment and available interventions/programs/services available to assist in resolving identified barriers.
• Identify appropriate VHA/VBA/community resources and facilitate utilization of and linkage to these resources by the veteran and family to assist clientele in reaching optimal functioning.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level