Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Muskogee, OK

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System is recruiting a Social Worker within Mental Health to manage, coordinate, and provide social work services on the inpatient psychiatric unit. The Social Worker works with Veterans and their families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds, participating in the treatment of all Veterans on the unit. The role includes assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, discharge planning, community-resource coordination, and clinical documentation. Services are provided under clinical supervision as specified in the posting, including supervision by a licensed independent practitioner (LIP) for treatment planning and by the clinical supervisor for counseling. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The full performance level is GS-11; selections may be made at GS-9 through GS-11.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's-degree level; the requirement may be waived at GS-9 for otherwise qualified candidates pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure or certification examinations.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• GS-9 candidates must meet the basic requirements and demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities, including Veteran-centered practice; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities and intervention skills; effective communication and working relationships; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health conditions and treatment.
• GS-11 candidates must have at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting and independent-practice-level state licensure or certification, or a doctoral degree in social work that may substitute for the experience requirement.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referrals, skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and interventions, knowledge of diagnoses and treatment procedures, skill in independently implementing treatment modalities, and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must be able to perform the described physical duties, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the employee or others.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and come from an accredited institution.

Nice To Haves

• Inpatient psychiatric experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with Veterans and family members from diverse backgrounds using counseling skills and participate in the treatment of Veterans on the inpatient psychiatric unit.
• Assess the biopsychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their families, and formulate and implement treatment plans that identify problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and needed assistance.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and participate in treatment planning with Veterans, families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary staff under the clinical supervision of an LIP.
• Implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups using supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques to achieve treatment goals.
• Complete Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluations (CSREs) and safety planning under clinical supervision.
• Facilitate discharge planning and provide individual, family, and group counseling under the clinical supervisor's supervision.
• Provide case management services to Veterans.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with Veterans, staff, and community-agency representatives.
• Educate Veterans and families about community resources, advance directives, and VA benefits; act as a liaison between VA and community resources.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology; demonstrate this knowledge through participation in clinical supervision and treatment-team meetings.
• Document social work interventions in the electronic health record and use appropriate handoffs when transferring patient care.
• Prepare court paperwork under the direct supervision of an advanced practice clinician.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees, after 60 days of employment and subject to income and other conditions, may receive a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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