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This position functions as a Social Worker for the Amarillo VA Health Care System Behavioral Health Care Line in Amarillo, under the immediate supervision of the A-COS BH, Chief Behavioral Health Service or designee. The Social Worker will be assigned primarily to the pain clinic, is a member of this multidisciplinary treatment team, and will participate as a full consultant to the pain clinic treatment team and offer treatment and referrals to the Veterans receiving care in the pain clinic. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. 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/. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.] Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. GS-9 Social Worker. Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. (e) Fundamental knowledge 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. 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. 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: (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. Preferred Experience: At least one year conducting assessment of patients' needs in a health care setting. Experience in working with a multidisciplinary treatment team (at least 1 year) At least one-year experience in electronic medical record documentation of health and behavioral issues. At least one-year experience in working with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD Experience in EBP's (evidenced based psychotherapies) References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard dated September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting/carrying, 45 pounds and over; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (1-2 hours); Standing (1-2 hours); Repeated bending (1-2 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and mental stability. ["Major Duties: Plans Effective Treatment\nCompletes an initial, comprehensive assessment, to include suicide risk assessment, diagnosis, and complaint and provides resources and referrals based on this assessment. Independently develops an effective intervention utilizing treatment matching to insure best outcome for individual. This will include referrals for community resources which may include nursing home care, assisted living environments, intensive outpatient treatment and other appropriate interventions. Of utmost concern will be the safety of the Veteran and assurance of effective outcomes for stabilization when indicated. Implements Treatment\nProvides clinical services to clients primarily in the pain clinic. Provides brief intervention (including longitudinally over time, depending on disease course), guidance, support and other assistance as identified. Assists clients in individual and/or family counseling. Provides referrals to VA and community resources. as needed. Addresses comprehensive needs of clients including those with serious psychiatric instability. Implements motivational and counseling skills to encourage clients to utilize effective interventions. Utilizes professional skills in addressing Veterans who are unstable or indifferent to treatment and demonstrates empathic engagement skills to assist Veterans in mental health and substance use recovery. Utilizes comprehensive case management skills to address all aspects of psychosocial strengths and challenges to assist with barriers to effective care. Evaluates/Follows Up; Adjusts Treatment as Necessary\nEstablishes a continuing relationship with the client, evaluating progress towards goals, performing follow-up after referral or if the client misses a follow-up session, and adjusts treatment plan as needed. Monitors client's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation, and assesses effectiveness of treatment and adjusts interventions accordingly. Provides psychoeducation to Veteran and family to assist with greater understanding of illness and treatment expectations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a Bargaining-Unit position"]