Summary

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is currently seeking a social worker to join the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Responsibilities include assessing and documenting signs of abuse - neglect - exploitation - and intimate partner violence; applying clinical social work skills to ensure Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies; and advocating with VA and community agencies to serve the best interests of Veterans and their families or caregivers.

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: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work
• Licensure: Candidate 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
• 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 - applicants 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
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands driving - standing - walking - bending - twisting - and carrying light items.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Handles a broad range of social work practices - including assessments - screenings - Advance Directives - Goals of Care - case management - crisis intervention - risk assessments - safety planning - abuse reporting - psychoeducation - resource referrals - care coordination within SAVAHCS and community partners - discharge planning - and other relevant services
• Provides case management for Veterans in the PACT clinic - addressing needs such as homelessness - hospice - palliative and nursing home care - in-home health - VA benefits - transportation - and resources
• Ensures smooth transitions and communication - develop treatment plans with measurable goals based on the Veteran's strengths and needs - and promote self-determination through advocacy - counseling - health education - and connecting Veterans to additional services
• Prioritizes Veteran-centered - culturally responsive - whole-health approaches
• Reports safety concerns - including suicidality and abuse - and provides education on health conditions - VA and community resources - end-of-life options - guardianship - and insurance
• Utilizes evidence-based interventions like brief counseling and health behavior strategies - adapting models to each Veteran's needs - and maintain competence in case management and human services
• Fosters effective relationships with PACT teams - staff - community agencies - and Veteran support systems - providing consultation - training - and education on social work practices and resources
• Ensures accurate - timely documentation in compliance with policies - standards - and accreditation requirements
• Committed to high reliability - they participate in process improvements - identify and address deficiencies - and keep supervisors informed
• Pursues ongoing professional development - attend relevant training and meetings - and supervise social work students or less experienced staff when appropriate
• Contributes to committees and special projects - provides coverage across all PACT services - and performs other duties necessary to meet VA mission and program goals
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 08:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized