The Senior Social Worker practices in the Oncology program and medical specialty programs at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) and serves a patient population with highly complex health and mental health problems. The Senior Social Worker is assigned to administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. The incumbent performs administrative functions at least 25% of the time. 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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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/. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience/Education. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. AND Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. (c) Knowledge 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 and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/10 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["The social worker will complete an assessment of the veteran, family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems during fist chemotherapy/infusion appointment to include the Oncology distress tool. The social worker will facilitate support groups as needed. The groups may be both closed or open ended for purpose of education and support of Veterans, their families, or caregivers. Social Worker will coordinate scheduling, collect needed group data, and document in CPRS. The social worker is responsible for developing a treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the veteran/family in collaboration with the primary care interdisciplinary treatment team members when indicated. Social work will also assist with end of life/goals of care discussions with veterans and their families. The social worker will case manage all aspects of veteran care including follow through on referrals both within the VA and in the community, prosthetics, benefits, etc. The incumbent will follow the veteran from diagnosis through end of life. The social worker is the subject matter expert on VA and community resources. The social worker will collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the veteran's needs for VA and community resources and entitlements. The social worker is responsible for developing a resource file of VA and community social service programs and will refer the veteran to needed services. The social worker will collaborate with Oncology related agencies in the community and VA regarding resources. The social worker will educate and encourage the veteran/family to advocate for themselves, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. The social worker provide education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advance Care Planning and will refer veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. The social worker will provide the veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling. Addressing the impact of cancer on life issues (intimacy, body image, living as a survivor with the uncertainty of remission, etc.) The social worker will work with the Oncology team to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the Oncology and Infusion. The Senior Social Worker is assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. The social worker will attend all recommended meetings (i.e. Oncology interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, tumor board, assigned committees, etc.) and perform other duties as required by the Social Work Service assigned work areas. This may include coverage responsibilities in the absence of other staff to ensure timely access and coordination of care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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