The Substance Treatment And Recovery Program operates within the Behavioral Health Service Line setting at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center's Jacksonville VA Clinic. The incumbent provides clinical expertise and support on substance use disorders to Veterans in the outpatient specialty STAR Program and enterprise. Best practices, practices guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions. 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. Licensure. Individuals assigned as social worker must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Additional certifications/licensures in chemical addictions/substance use disorder treatment preferred. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations/Minimum Qualifications for GS-9 Social Worker: None beyond the basic requirements Grade Determinations/Minimum Qualifications for GS-11 Social Worker: 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR (2) 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. (3) 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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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. (4) [Full Performance Level] Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. In collaboration with the Veteran, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary treatment team, the social worker facilitates the delivery of health care services. The social worker identifies family/caregiver stressors, conducts assessment and provides specific interventions. The incumbent provides case management and care coordination to facilitate appropriate delivery of health care services, incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The social worker links the Veteran with services, resources, and opportunities, in order to maximize the Veteran's independence, health, and well-being. The social worker conducts timely assessment of at-risk Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety plan as appropriate. The social worker provides interventions independently with Veterans and their families/caregivers who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, behavioral health, financial, legal, and psychosocial problems. They provide a range of interventions and treatment modalities which may include individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy. They independently formulate and implement a treatment plan including measurable, achievable goals identifying the Veterans' needs, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. Social workers serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility and VISN level or in the community. They provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of Veterans offering professional opinions based on experience, expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. The social worker establishes and maintains ongoing education programs for Veterans, community agencies, students, and staff, to facilitate understanding of social work interventions specific to the Veteran/Military population. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to exercise a high degree of emotional and mental discipline at all times in order to continue to carry out duties effectively. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties may be assigned in other BHSL program areas as needed for the overall benefit of the Medical Center and BHSL. The incumbent will provide a full range of clinical and therapeutic interventions including but not limited to case management and referrals, vocational rehabilitation substance screenings, individual therapy, group therapy, and psycho-educational classes. Incorporates motivational interviewing techniques, measurement- based care and has familiarity in dual diagnosis treatment and trauma informed care. Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups, Psychotherapy will be evidence-based in nature whenever available for a particular condition, and the incumbent, will utilize best practices to the extent possible in all patient care interactions. Independently conducts psychosocial assessments. The incumbent utilizes the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) as the basis for diagnostic impressions and conclusions. Develops person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family to address mental health needs of patients. Incumbent possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Incumbent complies with national and local performance mandates, including timely health care screening and completion of applicable clinical reminders for all patients. Incumbent promotes for smooth transitional discharge planning to and from an outpatient level of care. Coordinates with internal VA stakeholders to community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Incumbent is able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members. Has working knowledge and experience in use 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. Coordinates contact with the facility Suicide Prevention Coordinator where clinically warranted for a Veteran patient under his or her care. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families. Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. Incumbent will operate from a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model of care during all Veteran patient and family interactions. Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding substance use disorder including psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Ability to evaluate incumbents own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means. Incumbent is able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Incumbent completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program, service line, and medical center level. General knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon veterans needs and eligibility. Incumbent is able to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representative, visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Incumbent is able to provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately. Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing; data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm"]

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