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The Inpatient Medical Acute Social Worker provides social work services to veterans receiving inpatient care at the Durham VA Health Care System on an Inpatient Medicine Team. In collaboration with interdisciplinary medical team, the Social Worker evaluates veteran's presenting psychosocial problems and facilitates access to the resources that can most appropriately minimize the veteran's psychosocial stressors. 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: 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/. 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). Grandfathering Provision.(1) All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (2) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (5) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Social Worker, 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. 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: Experience with inpatient discharge planning Working with interdisciplinary teams Full Performance Level. 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Function or Scope of Assigned Duties include but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment- In conjunction with the interdisciplinary medical team, the social worker screens and assesses the veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers in order to facilitate their access to appropriate VA and community resources. Through collaborative relationships with the veteran, their family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff, the social worker coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate treatment goals and time frames for achieving those goals. Assessment information may include, but is not limited to: Marital/family/social status Employment/financial status Use of entitlement programs Legal problems/issues Impact of medical problems on psychosocial functioning Strengths/Limitations Treatment Planning/Goal Setting- From screening/assessment information, the social worker determines realistic goals with the veteran, including such factors as: a) the appropriate type of intervention and/or level of care b) the setting conducive to providing such intervention or care c) the need for caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care d) transportation options/barriers e) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the achievement of goals possible Referral to service providers- To facilitate the continuity of a veteran's recovery, the social worker will arrange referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, community-based extended care). Resource Usage/Development- As a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to veterans in critical care settings, through both VA and the community. Advocacy- The social worker will advocate for veterans to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. By availing the veteran of their choices in complex decisions and by guiding the veteran through complicated enrollment procedures and bureaucratic processes, the social worker facilitates the best possible outcome for the veteran. When appropriate and feasible, the social worker will educate and encourage the veteran and their family/caregiver to advocate on their own behalf, fostering independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention- The social worker will assist in mitigating any medical or psychiatric crises arising in presenting veterans, within the scope of social work practice, and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. Education/Health promotion and prevention- The social worker will provide education about VA and community resources, entitlement programs, VA benefits and Advance Directives/Living, completing the advanced directive or living will as requested. The social worker will refer veterans and their families/caregivers to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs. Supportive counseling- The social worker will provide the veteran and their family/caregivers with time-limited, supportive counseling. With the intent of assisting the veteran and the family/caregiver in coping with the psychosocial impact of chronic and disabling illnesses, the onset of catastrophic illness, end-of-life and bereavement issues, domestic violence and organ donation, the social worker will evaluate the need for more specialized mental health care and refer to appropriate VA or community resources. Organ Transplant Assessment- The social worker will complete Psychosocial Assessments for Organ Transplant candidates as consulted. The social worker will work in coordination with referring medical staff to ensure that veterans understand the organ-matching process, VA transplant regulations, complications post-transplant and myths regarding organ donation. Other responsibilities- The social worker will enter all veteran/family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, timely and professional manner to promote relevant and effective communication with other VA employees about the veteran's care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00a.m.- 4:30p.m. Telework: Ad Hoc may be available at the discretion of the Service Chief or equivalent 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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