Career Center

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT to establish an applicant pool to fill vacancies more quickly as they occur. Eligible applications will be reviewed for consideration as vacancies occur, but no sooner than 15 business days after the opening date of the announcement. Please ensure you select both the program area(s) and location(s) of interest when applying. Please note, all program areas are not available at all locations. 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/. Physical Requirements. Selectee must pass pre-employment physical exam or screening. 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). Grade Determination: 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, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the Social Worker or others. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position may require minimal travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who aid, help, and provide support to the Caregiver Support Program, its Veterans, and caregivers. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. ["This is an overview of each program area. All duties/responsibilities are not shown. Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT) (Potential availability at all locations) The PACT Social Worker will function as an integral member of their assigned Patient Aligned Care team(s) by actively participating in patient comprehensive psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, case management, Assisted Living Home and Nursing Home placements, advance care planning, care coordination with local medical facilities, and the provision of a full range of services within the scope of social work practice, as required to meet the needs of the Veteran. Preferred experience: At least 1 year of experience in primary care and/or medical social work. Knowledge of community resources preferred.\nTour of duty: Monday-Friday 8:00 am -4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency need).\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required. Contract Nursing Home (CNH) and Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) (Available only in Columbia, SC) The position is for a Social Worker for the Contract Nursing Home (CNH) and Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) programs. The social worker provides clinical social work services to Veterans at the Columbia VA Healthcare System enrolled in the CHN and ADHC Programs and other non-institutional VA programs, as assigned, with high quality case management, clinical oversight and advocacy. The incumbent coordinates the linkage with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies as needed. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team as appropriate. Applicant must have a valid driver's license and obtain medical clearance to operate a government issued vehicle. Employee selected will be required to conduct in-person or telephonic oversight visits to various CNHs/ADHCs within the Columbia VA catchment area. Preferred experience: At least one-year post MSW experience working with aging population and discharge planning.\nTour of duty: Monday-Friday 8:00 am -4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency need).\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required. Acute Care (Available only in Columbia, SC) The Acute Care Social Worker provides medical social work care and discharge planning services within an interdisciplinary team setting to include assessments, Advance Directive screening and completion and coordination of care within and outside the VA to Veterans hospitalized at Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC. Preferred experience: At least 1 year of inpatient hospital social work experience.\nTour of duty: Monday-Friday 7:30 am -4:00 pm (subject to change based on agency need).\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]