Career Center

The Chronic Pain and Wellness (CPW) Social Worker position is located at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO. The Social Worker works in the specialty medical area providing services to Veterans diagnosed with Chronic Pain. Services include provision of high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of care to other appropriate VA or community service providers and/or agencies as needed by the veteran. 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: Candidates must 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GS-12 Grade Determinations Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination. The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: experience providing Mental Health evidence-based practices (EBPs); experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); familiarity with CBT for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP). References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39 Driving Requirements: May be expected to travel to other VA facilities within Eastern Colorado HCS Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably while working. However, there may be some light exertion required when walking; standing, bending or climbing stairs, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small objects, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Ability to complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) course is a position requirement. ["Duties include but not limited to: Performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Incumbent demonstrates the ability to determine priority for services and provide specialized treatment services. Conducts group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with Chronic Pain. Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the medical specialty area of Chronic Pain utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Incumbent is able to demonstrate the ability to design changes based on empirical findings. Responsible for intensive case management for patients in the Chronic Pain and Wellness Center meeting criteria set-forth for such services. Maintains records and reports per protocol. Provides psychoeducational classes, psychotherapeutic support groups, as well as individual psychotherapy opportunities when determined appropriate in relation to disease adjustment. Conducts psychosocial assessments and develop clinically driven treatment plans which will be developed with the Veteran's input in order to assist him/her in meeting their needs. Assists Veterans in identifying disability resources, initiating applications, obtaining medical information and follow up paperwork as needed or appropriate. Provides education to medical providers and staff in general regarding the role of the social worker in the Chronic Pain and Wellness Center. Evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means. Accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or customer needs. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:55200-O\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]