Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is open to all U.S. citizens, facility employees will get first consideration.

Videos

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

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE:

• Ability to utilize a variety of psychiatric treatment modalities such as individual and group therapy, sufficient to develop and demonstrate advance skills in applying therapeutic techniques.
• Advanced clinical skills in Suicide Risk Assessment and Interventions.
• Significant knowledge of research in the area of suicidality pertaining to demographics, risk factors and protective factors.
• Detailed knowledge of Substance Abuse problems, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Poly-trauma and Chronic Pain Syndromes since they often exist/co-exist in patients at risk for suicide.
• Comfortable with and skilled in public speaking and teaching due to the importance of educating VA employees and the community at large in suicide prevention.
• Skill in relating constructively with members of an interdisciplinary team and experience working as a therapist with Veterans and family members.
• Skill in working with local agencies and community resources as well as Vet Centers to coordinate long-term objectives as necessary.
• Familiarity with clinical and administrative principles related to VA Systems.
• Ability to maintain records and reports for research and evaluation.
• Familiarity with ADP, computer security management, and fax equipment (basic data entry and retrieval will be required).
• Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.

Case management responsibilities include:

• Clinical contact for high-risk Veterans discharged from inpatient status following national guidelines.
• Clinical contact for Veterans deemed at high-risk for suicide following national guidelines,
• Coordination with mental health and primary care providers including active communication with all providers involved in the provision of comprehensive care to high-risk Veterans.
• Working knowledge of evidenced-based treatment to high-risk Veterans (i.e., group, individual CBT)
• Review/provision of comprehensive discharge planning and social service referrals to high-risk Veterans and families.
• Responding to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and internal facility calls regarding suicidal Veterans.
• Participating in administrative committees associated with tracking and monitoring of high-risk Veterans and serving as back-up to Suicide Prevention Coordinator and other Suicide Prevention Case Managers as needed.

The incumbent, a professional Social Worker, functions as a Case Manager for:

• Tracking all suicide attempts, completions and patients with serious suicide ideation at each facility.
• Tracking any no-show appointments by high-risk Veterans with follow-up.
• Providing case management services while utilizing professional skill, objectivity, insight, advanced clinical training, and experience to interpret data and identify viable treatment options and recognizing potential high-risk factors, acuity, and needs for services.
• Obtaining any relevant HIPAA clearances to allow transmittal of facility data on suicide attempts and individuals at risk and transmitting the data following cyber security requirements as applicable for this sensitive data.
• Ensuring that identified high-risk Veterans have a 24-hour resource number to call and ways to get assistance if an immediate crisis should occur.
• Developing and implementing an ongoing education plan for providers, Veterans, families and members of the community on risk factors and warning signs for suicide and treatment options.
• Performing other related duties as assigned
• Maintains a valid drivers license to conduct community outreach and education events.

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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.
• 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).

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:
    • Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.

ALL INTERNAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT A RECENT SF-50 FOR CONSIDERATION!

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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-11

Physical Requirements: The work requires sitting, bending, stooping and walking consistent with the delivery of services in the office, hospital and community. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license is required. The social worker must meet the requirements to use a government vehicle in accordance with VHA directive 2008-020. It will be necessary for the social worker to travel throughout the Wilkes-Barre VAMC catchment area where they conduct interviews with Veterans, family members, representatives of community health, welfare and law enforcement agencies

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.