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VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

• The social worker provides services and oversight of the Homeless GPD funded programs as defined in the GPD rules, regulations, and directives including verification of Veteran status and eligibility for participation in the Homeless Providers GPD Program, maintaining admission and discharge dates of participants for billing purposes, reviewing readmissions, extensions of care, and collecting and submitting participant information as outlined by VA Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES).
• The social worker coordinates and participates in program site inspections utilizing the Grant and Per Diem Program rules, regulations, and directives outlined in the Grant and Per Diem Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as guidance and forwards completed inspection packages to the appropriate offices.
• The social worker notes inspection deficiencies and in coordination with program leadership, establishes methods to monitor corrective actions and develops timelines for consequences because of inaction or insufficient actions related to deficiencies as needed.
• The social worker identifies high risk patients, conducts biopsychosocial assessments, develops treatment plans, provides case management, and therapeutic services at Grant and Per Diem Program sites as described in the Grant and Per Diem program rules, regulations, and directives.
• The social worker performs at the independent level with generalized knowledge for treatment of complex mental illness, addictions, homeless and special populations (women, OEF/OIF, older adults and families) on site and in the community.
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of homeless Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan.
• The social worker participates in Medical Center research by identifying questions and trends that should be studied as a basis toward improving aspects of social service and/or physical or mental health care delivery to Veterans as well as devising and carrying out studies designed to test appropriate hypotheses.
• Participates in acquiring clinical supervision by receiving supervision from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and will meet the timeframe required for licensure. Once licensed in California, provide clinical supervision to unlicensed social workers.
• Social worker can provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Intervening when necessary and advocate in their best interest when dealing with the consumer.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• Licensure. Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Education. Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work.

• Desire to work with Homeless Veteran population.
• Knowledge of local and VA Homeless resources.

• 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.

• References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G39. SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARDGS-0185. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.

• Preferred criteria: Ability to travel throughout the Greater Los Angeles area to visit veterans' homes to assist Veterans with housing needs and conduct site visit of contract agencies will be required.

• 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.

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, resume, 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.