Career Center

The Social Worker works within the interdisciplinary Addictive Disorders Treatment Program (ADTP) at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. If you are a current, permanent VA Nationwide Employee, you should apply under the announcement MA-11589109-22-BG. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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/. 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 DETERMINATES: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Level Experience and Licensure: 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: 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. Transcripts must be submitted with your application. AND You must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and the Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans, Caregivers and interdisciplinary teams. ["VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans.\nThe Social Worker provides a full range of social work services including assessment and treatment of complex psychosocial problems resulting from mental illness, chronic and acute illness, senescence or socioeconomic and family concerns. The Social Worker possesses a high level of knowledge about mental health and substance use disorders. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide 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. Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial interventions/treatments with supervision to a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs. Assess psychiatric conditions according to the DSM-5. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team within established time frames. Possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measure outcomes of interventions. Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Assess Veterans who present with psychiatric and psychosocial emergencies. Performs mental health diagnostic interviews with patients referred to specialty substance use disorder clinics. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM; with required participation in a rotation of an 11:00-7:30 tour that is identified by the supervisor based on the needs of the clinic.\nTelework: Available upon determination by supervisor\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nVA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program. If selected for this position, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact Eva.Gennara@va.gov or VISN12EDRP@va.gov for more information .Learn more"]