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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S. Code). 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 Master 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/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates, GS-12, Supervisory Social Worker Experience and Education. Must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Worker must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. (b) Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. (c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services. (d) Ability to provide staff training and development. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position require moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); the use of fingers; and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Work may be performed outside and inside and you must be able to work alone and closely with others. ["The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Supervisory Social Worker has significant personnel management responsibilities in addition to patient care duties. The position is responsible for the professional and administrative management of PACT Social Workers located in the Primary Care Clinic at the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AKVAHCS) Muldoon Campus. Supervisory Duties: Plan, establish, and implement policies and procedures, develop individual or group goals and objectives, monitor, evaluate, and coordinate the PACT Social Work staff. Supervise PACT Social Workers performing at the GS-9 to GS-11 grade level up to their own grade and provide technical and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing work at the clinic site. Be licensed at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide clinical supervision for subordinate staff to qualify for licensure. Work with the Chief of Social Work to establish guidelines and performance expectations for staff and clearly communicate these through the formal employee performance management system. Provide formal and informal feedback and evaluate employee performance. Resolve informal complaints and grievances, develop work improvement plans, and recommend personnel actions as necessary. Provide advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters, effect disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Review and approve or disapprove leave requests. Exercise supervisory authority and responsibility involving work assignments in primary care and review the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised. Review, monitor, and analyze planning and assessment of various programs. Provide leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues impacting Veterans and staff and initiate and participate in ethical consultations as appropriate. Serve as a resource for the protection of Veteran and family rights. Provide considerate care, respecting Veteran and family value and belief systems. Manage assigned clinic patient duties as directed, complete clinical notes and encounters in a timely manner according to station guidelines. Act as a steward of program resources (human, financial, material or information) to facilitate safe, effective, and efficient processes. Patient Care Duties: Provide clinical social work services to a reduced panel of patients, provide consultation related to complex cases and Veteran needs, and provide coverage for Same Day MH Services at times when minimum staffing requirements cannot be met. Independently identify high-risk patients and provide case management services for chronic disease management in collaboration with the PACT team and attached ancillary services. Provide crisis intervention services seeking to address cause as well as the presenting complaint. Provide treatment intervention in collaboration with the Veteran and family, interdisciplinary treatment team, and community members. Understand the range of treatment and skills for all adult patients related to illness or chronic medical conditions, psychological needs, and age associated conditions. Possess skills to establish therapeutic relationships with Veterans and families, mediate difficulties, and measure outcomes of treatment interventions. Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs, and community agency programs. Have knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service-connected compensation, and non-service-connected pension. Facilitate referrals and applications for benefits based upon Veterans needs and eligibility. Provide education to Veterans and families related to VA benefits and service, community resources, entitlements, and completion of Advance Directives/Living Will. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: 1-2 days per pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized."]

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