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Summary The Social Worker position reports to Social Work Service in conjunction with the Chief of Outpatient Mental Health and is located in the Mental Health Clinics (MHC) at Lyons, East Orange and supporting CBOCs, which are part of the Mental Health & Behavioral Science (MH&BS) Service, VA NJHCS. Responsibilities VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz\_ua\_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary function of the Social Worker is to identify, through psychosocial and family assessment, the social, emotional, interpersonal and environmental needs of the Veteran that may interfere with his/her mental health, and/or impede the Veteran from obtaining his mental health recovery goals. The Social Worker is able to exercise appropriate judgment and decision making when formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan, providing ongoing assessment of the patient's progress and treatment utilizing VA and community resources. Psychosocial Assessments - The Social Worker interviews the Veteran, family member and/or significant other to establish facts about the Veteran's current situation. In collaboration with the Veteran, family member and/or significant others, the Social Worker completes an accurate psychosocial assessment considering the effects of acute, chronic, traumatic illnesses/injuries, and common medications. The assessment reflects the Veteran's strengths as well as primary concerns and/or challenge/s. In addition, the assessment outlines any hindrances for the Veteran obtaining optimal health as well as internal/external supports and needs for Veteran to achieve success. Treatment planning/goal setting - The Social Worker, in collaboration with the Veteran, develops a treatment plan. This may also be done in collaboration with the outpatient mental health treatment team. The plan is based on the Veteran's goals (needs and/or preferences) using his/her own language. If the Veteran is not present, the Social Worker (and/or team) makes every effort to reflect the Veteran's language, goals, etc., based on the psychosocial assessment. The treatment plan is person-centered, holistic, non-linear and strengths based. The Veteran's goals are obtainable and measurable. The Social Worker identifies and assists the Veteran's with the use of internal/external supports. Supports being defined as people, places, things or activities utilized by the Veteran to succeed in his/her goals. The Social Worker, in an attempt to foster independence, provides the Veteran with skill development opportunities to transition or use natural community supports. The treatment plan is adjusted according to the Veteran's response to the interventions and/or changes in needs/goals. Provision of clinical services - The incumbent provides current and advanced range of treatment techniques for the treatment of the adult Veteran patient population while being sensitive to human growth and development, age-appropriate needs and concerns of the Veteran. The Social Worker provides clinical services (i.e. individual and/or group psychotherapy, and marital or family counseling), case management services (i.e. refers to or coordinates with VA and community services) and psycho-educational services to Veterans, family members and/or significant others in support of the Veteran's treatment goals and within their scope of practice. The Social Worker will serve as a liaison, advocate and/or consultant for the Veteran, family member and/or significant other throughout the VA NJ Healthcare System (VANJHCS) and in the community to promote efficient practice and improve Veteran outcomes. Referrals - The Social Worker uses the VA and community's service systems to interpret data and identify viable treatment options, Veterans can be assisted in choosing from an array of services with appropriate intensity and flexibility. Services are matched with the Veteran's needs and goals. Referrals, to those services, are made in a timely manner. The Social Worker is responsible for educating the Veteran and family members/significant others of the available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Evaluation of Treatment - The Social Worker establishes and maintains a continuing relationship with the Veteran, family member and/or significant other, evaluating progress towards the Veteran's goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. The Social Worker meets with the Veteran, via regularly scheduled meetings, to assess accomplishments and re-establish goals if needed. The Social Worker monitors Veteran's progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, and displays clinical competence through the psychosocial diagnosis, treatment plan and the decision to adjust/terminate treatment when appropriate. Documentation - The Social Worker documents all visits with the Veteran, family member and/or significant other electronically through the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and complete encounter forms for each visit. Additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21M13-A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Have a master's 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 master's 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 GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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). 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 post-Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Experience and education satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which is paid/non-paid 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 master's 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. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Fellowships or Post-Graduate Training. Fellowship and post-graduate training programs are typically in a specialized area of clinical practice, i.e., group or family practice. Training as a fellow or post-graduate may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. Practicum in a VA Setting. A VHA practicum experience may not be substituted for experience, as the practicum (field placement) is completed prior to graduation with a master's degree in social work. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-11 Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates 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 socio-economic, educational, and other 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. Preferred Experience: Individual/Group Psychotherapy experience is preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 which is the actual grade an applicant may be selected for. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The Social Worker position (GS-0185) is currently on the FY 2025 VHA shortage occupations approved for waiver of Veterans' preference.