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Social Worker (Hiring Fair)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

***The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is Seeking Highly Energetic Candidates***

Seeking compassionate providers to join the multidisciplinary team at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The social worker will provide direct patient intervention, assessment, evaluation and consultations to patients and their families.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/26/2023 to 05/24/2023
Salary
$70,646 to - $80,066 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Los Angeles, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSX-11944613-23-SH
Control number
722191400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens.

Videos

Duties

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VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
VA Careers - Mental Health Professionals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMintJXa3Y

Review a sample Total Rewards package for a VA Social Worker: www.vacareers.va.gov/Home/PdfViewer?issuu=social_worker_-_total_reward_of_a_va_career_flyer

*****The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is Seeking Highly Energetic Candidates*****

This vacancy is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event, which will be on an invite only basis once the position qualifications have been met. If you receive an invitation, you will be required to attend in person on:

  • Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023

  • Time: 8:00 AM. - 3:00 PM.

  • Location of Hiring Event: Greater Los Angeles VA Hospital- (Address and map of hiring fair location will be provided to candidates who have met minimum qualifications for invitation)

You will be notified of your qualifications and if determined to be minimally qualified, you will receive an invitation for interview and MUST RSVP no later than 06/06/2023. Applicants should plan for a long day if selected, as there are several pre-employment stations to clear.

Requirements for Pre-Employment Screening:

  • Fingerprints (Two forms of ID required)

  • Security background

  • Immunizations (Immunization records preferred)

Duties are not limited to:
  • Independently performs case finding functions, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs, to include high risk screening.
  • Has knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for patients and their families.
  • Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint,
  • Has working knowledge and experience in 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.
  • Provides direct psychosocial services in the form of crisis intervention, individual counseling and psychotherapy, group counseling and psychotherapy, and family counseling.
  • Works with patients and families who are experiencing basic emotional, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills.
  • Assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, and formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient's problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed.
  • Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the multidisciplinary team in a timely manner.
  • Recognizes psychological issues, cultural norms and boundaries, has knowledge of developmental task and able to make appropriate intervention referrals to multidisciplinary team.
  • Possesses a working knowledge and experience to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions.
  • Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Identifies and completes mandated suspected abuse reporting for dependent adults or elders.
  • Coordinates discharge planning to most appropriate setting or residential facility and coordinates community-based services including information and referral for additional services from various sources
EDRP is available for the Emergency Department vacancy only.

We have two vacancies that are location negotiable


Work Schedule: TODs are variable depending on the position and location. Some positions include nights/weekends. Telework and compressed tours may be considered depending on the position.
Telework: May be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Disclosure Report: Not required
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  • Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping.

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: 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 obtain
  • 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).Preferred Experience: Experience working in a healthcare setting is highly preferred.Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-09
  • (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
  • (2) 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.
Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11
  • (1) 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.
  • (2) 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.
  • (3) 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 working in a medical and/or mental health setting is highly preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G39. SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARDGS-0185.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 11.Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability. Depending on position, occasional travel is required to conduct visits in the community.

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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

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