Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Hickory, North Carolina. 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. English Language Proficiency You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education and/or Experience Combination You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the masters degree in Social Work. License or Certification You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years working in outpatient/inpatient mental health setting. Trained in at least 2 EvidenceBased Practices e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression CBTD Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT Dialectical Behavioral Therapy DBT Experience treating mental health diagnosis in Veteran population. Experience with risk assessments treatment planning and working within an interdisciplinary team. GS11 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. GS11 Experience or Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS11 you must possess 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 non VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. 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 patient/family member/caregiver advocate with community service providers/agencies assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members. In collaboration with the patient family and interdisciplinary treatment teams identifying strengths weaknesses coping skills and psychosocial acuity. Maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with appropriate referrals. OR 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 to the experience above you must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit VA Handbook 5005 Part Ii Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. The employee may sit comfortably in an office or clinic to perform the work. However there may be some walking standing stooping bending and carrying light items such as papers books etc. It may require some lifting (1020 lbs.) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder Frequent keyboarding (47 hours per day) Sitting (47 hours per day) Walking up to 6 hours per day) Standing (up to 8 hours per day) Infrequent climbing/descending of stairs Some bending Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Correctable near sighted and farsighted vision Hearing (Aid permitted).

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.