Senior Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Senior Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Atlanta, Georgia. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

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: United States Citizenship: Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education (and/or Experience): (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) Bachelors degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist or (b) Bachelors degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field. or (c) Masters degree or higher in occupational therapy. NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (b) Bachelors degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field or (c) Masters Degree or higher in occupational therapy. (2) Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association P.O. Box 31220 Bethesda MD 208241220. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current full active and unrestricted license. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full current and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a state territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations:Occupational Therapist GS11Education Experience or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS9 grade level and directly related to the position being filledor(b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related fieldor(c) Doctorate in occupational therapy.Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.(b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans including goals and methods of treatment.(c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.(d) Skill in monitoring an individuals response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.(e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients family members caregivers interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.(f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.(g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.Assignment. OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and nonstandardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety wellness performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) education work play leisure and social participation. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis behavioral intervention frame of references and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional independent occupational therapy services. References: VA Regulations specifically VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11 . Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking standing and sitting. The incumbent must be a mature flexible sensible individual capable of working effectivelyin stressful situations able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements such as annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSAvehicles.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.