Social Worker

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

The Successful Applicant

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: Have a masters 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 masters 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 GS0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Physical Requirements: See details below. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 167 7403(f). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS 11 grade level you must have completed a minimum of 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 be licensed or certified in a state at the independent practice level. Examples of experience includes but is not limited to the following: identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse neglect or exploitation providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning providing social work case management acting as an advocate with appropriate entities and community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying the strengths weaknesses coping skills and psychosocial acuity in collaboration with the patient family and interdisciplinary treatment teams maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers andassist with the appropriate referrals.ORHave 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. In addition you must meet all of the following knowledge skills abilities (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 socioeconomic 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. Preferred Experience: N/A 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 at the GS 11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone retrieving files writing reports data entry and maintenance of computer databases etc. Work is typically performed sitting at a desk and using a computer. This position may require occasional travel. The position requires periods of walking standing sitting and bending. This position requires periods of lifting and setup of items related to outreach events. Creditable Experience: The candidate must have knowledge of current professional social work practices. To be creditable the experience must have required the use of knowledge skills abilities and other characteristics associated with current professional social work practice. The experience or education must be postMasters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice which is paid/nonpaid employment as a professional social worker as defined by the appropriate state licensing board. Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is obtained following graduation with a masters degree in social work and if it includes work as a professional social worker directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to social work experience at the next lower level

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.