Social Worker Acute Psychiatry

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Acute Psychiatry in the Veterans Health Administration based in Portland, Oregon. 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 Masters degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or other masters in science in social work (MSSW) social service administration (MSSA) social service (MSS) social administration (MSA) or social welfare as accredited by the CSWE. Those without the required masters degree will be disqualified. Licensure Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations Social Worker GS9 (1) Experience Education and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic cultural ethnic educational and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan identifying the Veterans problems strengths weaknesses coping skills and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals families and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients staff and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries common medications and their effects/side effects and medical terminology. GS11 Requirements: This is the full performance level for social workers. GS11 Social Workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. They are assigned to all program areas including inpatient or outpatient medicine surgery mental health neurology rehabilitation medicine and geriatrics. Employees provide professional independent social work services in the assigned area. Knowledge Skills 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. References: VHA 5005 Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS11. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years LCSW experience Full license for independent practice experience in working in acute psychiatry settings experience in ED consultation role. Physical Requirements: Moderate carrying (1544 pounds) Straight pulling (0.25 hours) Pulling hand over hand (0.25 hours) Pushing (1 hour) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Walking (4 hours) Standing (3 hours) Repeated bending (1 hour) Climbing legs only (1 hour) Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Hearing (aid permitted) Mental emotional stability. Environmental Requirements: Outside and inside Excessive noise intermittent Slippery or uneven walking surfaces Working closely with others Working alone.

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.