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Summary The Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH) Social Worker in the Allentown CBOC is responsible for the provision in case management, individual and group therapy, clinical treatment, crisis intervention, advocacy, discharge planning, and the coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies. Will develop a psychosocial assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Responsibilities The incumbent in this position is responsible for: Contributing to the development if the treatment planning and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran, family members/significant others and other Outpatient Mental Health clinic staff. Throughout the courses of treatment, acting as the subject matter expert on VA and/or community resources. The outpatient mental health worker will become proficient in the acute inpatient psychiatric unit as to be able to assist if needed for treatment coverage purposes needs. Educating the veteran and family members/significant others on available services and assisting them in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the veteran's preference or that of his surrogate decision-maker. Using the current Social Work resource file of VA and community social service programs and enhancing the content to the benefit of veterans. S/he will refer the veteran to necessary services. Understanding the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible, the incumbent will educate and encourage the veteran to advocate ion his/her own behalf, thus, fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admissions to mental health inpatient programs. The Social Worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. Providing education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Directives/Living Will, and referring veterans and family members/significant others to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Reviewing progress notes from the other providers to accurately determine the strengths and limitations of each veteran, The incumbent will educate the veteran, their family members/significant others, and the team of all options available to them, and will collaborate with the veteran and family member,. significant other on the preferred option. Providing the veterans and their family members/significant other with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with severe mental illness. Providing individual, family, and group evidence-based therapies to veterans. Entering all veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to insure information on the veteran is shared with other VA staff, and will be reviewed on a regular basis. Establishing positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers, and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attending all appropriate staff meetings (i.e. team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, Social Work supervision meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, etc., as appropriate) Participating in activities that obtain feedback from clients and working to enhance services as necessary. Performing other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP: Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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: 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. 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. 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 Determination: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following 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 socio-economic, 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: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39 Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact [email protected] for questions or assistance Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. .If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.