Social Worker - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Responsibilities: The PCMHI Social Worker provides functional assessment, triage, intervention, education and consultative services regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, on referral from primary care providers and allied PACT members. The PCMHI Social Worker uses population-based practice management strategies and maintains competences in the following core domains: Conduct functional assessments, based on 30-minute appointments and will triage/refer to specialty care services as appropriate. Applies principles of population-based care (defines roles and identifies problems rapidly) 75% of all appointments are 30 minutes (will vary by setting) Uses brief assessments routinely (clinical reminders, PHQ9, GAD7, PCL5, AUDITC, etc.) Conducts suicide assessment and safety planning for high-risk Veterans Assist in assessing and coordinating care for Veterans who are in need of acute psychiatric stabilization Initial consultation appointment is based on functional assessments and treatment focuses on functional outcomes. Maintains daily open access slots. Provides brief mental health and behavioral interventions (e.g. 1-6 session for broad range of concerns). Uses time-limited, evidence based, interventions that are simple and concrete. Triages appropriately and efficiently to specialty mental health services. Provides brief assessment and/or intervention to address (including but not limited to): o Depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, MST, trauma, sleep issues, chronic pain, substance abuse/dependence (including tobacco use), anger management, relationship distress, management of chronic medical conditions, attentional concerns, memory concerns. o Other interventions will be provided as clinically appropriate, based on Veteran need. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran (may include Veteran's family) and with PACT. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans (may include Veteran's family) experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems. PCMHI Group Clinical Practice Management: Conducts group therapy with up to 12 Veterans (Of note, group size may be dependent on topic, group facilitator discretion, etc.) for 30-90 minutes sessions addressing relevant behavioral health topics. Group formatting (open versus closed) is determined by group facilitator(s) Patient Care Management Overview: Provide case management services, as needed and/or indicated Demonstrates knowledge of local, state and other VA programs and resources. Has general knowledge of Veteran's benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon Veterans' needs and eligibility. Assesses for and identifies high-risk Veteran and implements appropriate safety protocols. Provides crisis intervention services and has working knowledge of referral process for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and residential PTSD, SUD, and other specialty programs. Has working knowledge in diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of mental health diagnoses. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries and medical terminology. Provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Has expertise in providing EBTs as applicable to the primary care setting. Able to develop specialized interventions tailored to unique needs of Veteran populations and provide innovations in delivery of mental health programs. Demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and trainees in specialized areas of practice. Consultation Skills: • Routinely consults with PCPs and other PACT members about plan of care for Veterans • Conducts effective brief consultations with PACTs and non-PACT staff Academic/Teaching/Training: • Opportunities for scaffolding supervision of social work predoctoral interns and practicum students in accord with training program policies and accrediting agency requirements Program Evaluation: Participates in program evaluation and/or research activities Expectation to review program analysis, provide appropriate assessments of outcomes, and make recommendations as needed. Assists in the development and implementation of follow-up systems to track completed tasks or other issues and concerns relating to the PCMHI (intake and assessment, treatment planning, service delivery, discharge planning, case management, resource allocation, outreach, etc.) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Ad-Hoc Functional Statement #: 436-52700-O, 436-52701-O, 436-52702-O 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 1- United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2 • 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 https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. 3 • 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 https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/social-work-matters/SitePages/Social-Work-Licensure-by-State.aspx 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 GS-09 1- Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 2- Knowledge, Skills and Assessments (KSAs). In addition, candidates 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. GS-11 1- Experience and Licensure. A minimum of one (1) 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. A doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one (1) year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. 3- Knowledge, Skills and Assessments (KSAs). In addition, 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 within a multidisciplinary team Experience working with Veterans Competence in handling Veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts and triaging care needs Preference given to fully licensed candidates Preferred experience in use of VA electronic health record systems and care coordination databases to triage Veteran care needs Preferred experience in working with active military and/or Veterans 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-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The Incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the incumbent or others. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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). 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.