Senior Social Worker

We're Looking for a skilled Senior Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration based in Richmond, Virginia. 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 01/06/2022.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. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Education. 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. To verify that a social work degree meets the accreditation standard for a master of social work access the CSWE website at http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations.aspx. (Copy of transcript must be submitted). Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Social work Coordinators must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level (LCSW or equivalent). (Copy of licensure) PROOF OF LICENSURE AND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE Grade Determinations:GS12 Senior Social WorkerSenior Social Workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. At least two years should be in an area of specialized social work practice. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below. 1. Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Ability to determine priority for services and provide specialized treatment services. 2. Advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual group and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of veterans with polytraumatic injuries spinal cord injuries traumatic brain injuries visual impairment posttraumatic stress disorder etc. 3. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Ability to coordinate the delivery of specialized psychosocial services and programs. Ability to design system changes based on empirical findings. 4. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications. 5. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession demonstrating innovation in the creation of new models of psychosocial assessment or intervention to identify and address specialized clinical needs. Ability to write policies procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the specialty population or specialty treatment program. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing walking bending twisting typing and carrying light items.

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.