INTRODUCTION- The PCMHI-Social Worker serves as a behavioral consultant to the multidisciplinary primary care team, serving primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The focus is on mental health interventions for mild to moderate common mental health concerns (depression, anxiety)seen at the primary care service. Behavioral health visits are brief (generally 20--30 minutes) limited in number (avg. 2-3 visits) and are provided in the primary care setting and are structured so that the patient views meeting with the SW PCMHI as part of the primary care visit. The SW provides functional assessments using Behavioral Health Laboratory (BHL) measures, education, care management, and brief interventions, regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, upon referral from primary care providers, allied PACT members, and BH PCMHI team members.
Summary
INTRODUCTION- The PCMHI-Social Worker serves as a behavioral consultant to the multidisciplinary primary care team, serving primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The focus is on mental health interventions for mild to moderate common mental health concerns (depression, anxiety)seen at the primary care service. Behavioral health visits are brief (generally 20--30 minutes) limited in number (avg. 2-3 visits) and are provided in the primary care setting and are structured so that the patient views meeting with the SW PCMHI as part of the primary care visit. The SW provides functional assessments using Behavioral Health Laboratory (BHL) measures, education, care management, and brief interventions, regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, upon referral from primary care providers, allied PACT members, and BH PCMHI team members.
Screening/Asses PCMHI SW uses population based stepped level of care conducting 30 minute same day functional assessments. Using brief screening tools,tracking progress with PHQ-9,PCL,AUDIT C, Uses measurement based Behavioral Health Lab. Highlight Vet strengths,limitations,& internal/external supports& svc optimize Vet functional status.Able to treat adult/young patients,geriatric pts with physical limitations &illnesses.Understands problems due to age&sensitive to stages development.Develops aTreament Plan/Sets Goals with patient input and PCMHI team &PACT/PCP team.Establishes S.M.A.R.T goals and monitors &updates with frequency and intensity adjusted to patient's functioning &needs.Therapeutic Interventions offered same day, brief face to face or by telephone behavioral interventions. Engages in prevention of suicide through early detection & intervention and monitoring of mild/moderate depression &anxiety,grief/bereavement,pain,insomnia, and alcohol misuse. Addresses unhealthy lifestyle and habits: tobacco & alcohol use,weight mngt,coping chronic illness,stress mngt,sleep hyg,relax training.Provides time limited evidenced based interventions,motivational interview,prblm solving therapy.Provides psychosocial interventions for coping med cond prevent devel/worsening med&mental.Referralsvc prov Assess &collaborates with PCMHI &PC/PACT in the linkage to care&resources. Provides Education to Vet/caregiver of svc&referrals Vet pref/surrogate decision-maker.Resource Usage/Dev Use SW resource file VA&commun social svc.Advocacy Understands intimidation bureaucracy&acts as the advocate for Vet/fam fostering sense independence&empower.Crisis Interven -Supports PACT and PCMHI in making rapid asses to develop crisis management plans. Follows protocol at Prim Care setting.Educ/Htlh prom& prevent Provides educ health promotion,treatment adherence.Educates about VA &community resources,entitlements,Advance Directive/Living and/or refers Vet/fams to appropriate team.CoCoord non-institutional &institutional svc Input from PC,PACT,PCMHI Adm responsibilities: completes contacts on electro rcd on a timely manner, keeping,confidential, professional manner.Establish &maintain positive working relationships employees,volunteers,consumers& stakeholders,VA&comm agencies. Attend staff,SW staff, Psychology meetings,committees.Collaborate performance improvement process and performance measures.
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
You may be required to serve a probationary period
Subject to a background/security investigation
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens Education: Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by 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. Doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for master's degree in social work.Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets accreditation standards for master of social work.Licensure: Persons hired/ reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found on the OHRM website.Exception.VHA may waive the licensure/certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. Exception only applies up to the full performance level. For grade levels above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed or certified English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken&written EnglishSELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:1. Proficiency in spoken Spanish. Preferred Experience: Intensive case management services to assigned veterans & significant others, consistent with the goals & methods of PCMHI and VA Mental Health Initiative &with all relevant Medical Center policies &procedures. Intensive case management services are characterized by assertive outreach, individualized treatment planning, multidimensional orientation & intensive delivery of services particularly for Veterans at high risk for suicide &with specialty treatment needs.Performs individual and group evidenced based treatment for patients and families/significant others as necessary, requiring utilization of a variety of psychological & counseling theories and modalities. Decision regarding the particular method to be employed is at his/her discretion, with appropriate supervisory input.Grade Determinations: GS-9 Social Worker Experience, Education and Licensure. GS-9 is the entry level grade for the GS-185 social work series and is used for social workers with less than one year of post-MSW experience and for social workers who are not yet licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Social workers at the GS-9 level are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure or certification. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAOs) 1. Ability to provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic,cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological), and the differential influences of the environment, society, and culture.2. Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills. Work with more complex problems is done under close supervision. With guidance from the social work supervisor, ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.3. Basic knowledge of psychosocial treatment modalities and, under supervision, 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.4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.5. 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.6. Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking. Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VHA.Grade Determination: GS-11 Social Worker -Experience, Education and Licensure. Promotion to the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's)1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths,weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team.3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological)and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture.4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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.5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques.6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example,some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure.7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements.8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Physical Requirements: Although physical strength is not necessary for this position, emotional maturity, compassion for others, and endurance in stressful situations is required. A high level of physical energy is required, as the incumbent will be expected to meet with many people in the course of the work day
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
United States Citizenship Required; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR INTERNAL PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OCCUPYING A SOCIAL WORKER POSITION IN THIS FACILITY:
1.Résumé (or equivalent). Required.
2.Online Assessment Questionnaire, required.
3.Copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing grade/step, required. (Please see checklist) (NO CASH AWARD Action)
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR INTERNAL PERMANENT EMPLOYEES NOT OCCUPYING A SOCIAL WORKER POSITION.
1.Résumé (or equivalent). Please Note: that providing Resume or CV does not substitute application below (which is required).
2.Online Assessment Questionnaire, required.
3.VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
4.Copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing grade/step, required. (please see checklist) (NO CASH AWARD ACTION)
5.Copy of Licenses, Certifications and Registrations, required, if applicable.
6.Copy of Transcripts/Diploma and certification of degree, required.
7.Any other documents required by the checklist. (please see checklist)The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's, documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
Resume
SF-50
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/19/2018 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
San Juan VA Medical Center
10 Calle Casia
San Juan, PR 00921
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR INTERNAL PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OCCUPYING A SOCIAL WORKER POSITION IN THIS FACILITY:
1.Résumé (or equivalent). Required.
2.Online Assessment Questionnaire, required.
3.Copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing grade/step, required. (Please see checklist) (NO CASH AWARD Action)
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR INTERNAL PERMANENT EMPLOYEES NOT OCCUPYING A SOCIAL WORKER POSITION.
1.Résumé (or equivalent). Please Note: that providing Resume or CV does not substitute application below (which is required).
2.Online Assessment Questionnaire, required.
3.VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
4.Copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing grade/step, required. (please see checklist) (NO CASH AWARD ACTION)
5.Copy of Licenses, Certifications and Registrations, required, if applicable.
6.Copy of Transcripts/Diploma and certification of degree, required.
7.Any other documents required by the checklist. (please see checklist)The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's, documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
Resume
SF-50
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/19/2018 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
San Juan VA Medical Center
10 Calle Casia
San Juan, PR 00921
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
