Social Worker Patient Advocate

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

The Successful Applicant

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Must be a citizen of the United States. Must have a Masters degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). (Transcripts Required) Must have an LSW license or certification in a state at the independent practice level. (Copy Required) 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 GS9 grade level. For the GS11 grade level and above the candidate must be licensed or certified. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d) 7404 (d). GS9 GRADE REQUIREMENTS:None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS11 GRADE REQUIREMENTS:Must have at least one year of postMSW experience equivalent to the GS9 grade level in the field of health care or other social workrelated settings (VA or nonVA experience) and LSW licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.ORA 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. GS11 Knowledge Knowledge Skills and Abilities:In addition to the experience above you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of community resources how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services and ability to coordinate services.(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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. The full performance level of this position is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for is GS9 or GS11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work includes walking standing bending carrying of light items and occasionally assisting with a wheelchair. In some instances relationships with patients and caregiverscan become intense and the incumbent is constantly exposed to high levels of stress and anxiety. This position demands emotional stability as the incumbent is deeply involved with many challenging seriously ill and/or dying patients and their caregivers. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment involves the normal risks typical of an office with the additional risk of dealing with patients who may be hostile and/or are not in touch with reality. Visits areroutine to the units/clinics as well as administrative offices in the Facility. The incumbent may encounter patients with medically emergent needs/situations and illnesses/conditions that are considered infectious. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standards.

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.