Outpatient Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team-based care provides Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based care. The incumbent in this position functions as a Care Coordinator for Veterans on a BHIP team and is responsible for coordination and continuity of care for Veterans receiving services throughout the Behavioral health Service (MHS). Vacancy has been extended. Only Amarillo location is still available. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written or spoken English. 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/. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION REGARDING ALABAMA SW LICENSURE. Preferred Experience: Experience in conducting biopsychosocial assessments and using measurement-based care to assess patient needs Experience conducting diagnostic assessments Experience providing psychoeducation to Veterans and their family members about evidence-based practices 1 year experience working in a mental health setting Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for each grade level. GS-09: None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: 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, 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. In addition to the experience above, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting/carrying (45 lbs and over); Reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; Walking/Standing/Repeated bending (1-2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability; Cognitive Stability. ["The candidate is a Social Worker assigned to a BHIP team at the Amarillo VA Medical Center. The incumbent is responsible for providing care coordination services (including but not limited to biopsychosocial assessment, walk-in/crisis services, education, provision of self-management resources) and other clinical tasks as needed for Veterans receiving services in BHIP. Care coordination (including care management and/or case management) includes determining and monitoring care coordination needs over time, providing care coordination, and facilitating follow-up and outreach as needed to promote proactive, personalized care and care continuity. Conducts biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for Veterans new to behavioral health and coordinates care for Veterans assigned to BHIP including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans on BHIP teams to ensure delivery of comprehensive, seamless MH service. Responsible for following national guidance and local policy and SOPs for the Behavioral health Service. This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for The Joint Commission accreditation as well as other internal and external requirements. Actively participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with care coordination needs and caseloads and identifying the need for making recommendations on program procedures and/or policy changes based upon work experiences. Responsible for improving professional skills, participating in planning and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. The Social Worker is assigned to the Behavioral health Service (MHS) and provides comprehensive services to Veterans and their families. In the primary provision of care coordination (and direct clinical care as needed) in patients from the adult (less than 65 years of age) to the geriatric (greater than 65 years of age), the employee recognizes age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. The incumbent has regular access to the printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, and VA statutes and policy. Other duties/responsibilities: Provides a full range of services within commonly accepted standards of practice and prioritizes care coordination activities as the primary job function [e.g., needs assessment, chart reviews, care or case management (as needed), discharge planning, outreach, etc.] and other services as appropriate. Conducts biopsychosocial assessments and use measurement-based care to determine care coordination and treatment needs of Veterans. Provides care coordination to Veterans and families, as needed, throughout the continuum of care. This includes communication within and across care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Provides consultation/education to Veterans and families on VA resources (including self-management tools such as VA phone apps, web-based programs, and self-directed material), community resources, Advance Directives and VA benefits. Actively participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. Participate in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that is timely and appropriate to promote care continuity. Acts as a clinical resource/point-of-contact to Veterans and other team/staff members. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include education and bidirectional communication that promotes seamless care. Provides wellness/prevention education and may facilitate patient/family educational/bridging supportive sessions as appropriate. Documents interventions and activities in patient's electronic health record and ensure appropriate hand-off communication and documentation when transferring patient care. Maintains familiarity and share responsibility with other team members for performance measures relevant to the BHIP team. Performs other BHIP-related duties as directed by the Supervisor, such as, but not limited to: training/mentoring and oversight of new staff & those not yet clinically licensed, and preparing for and training staff on CARF & The Joint Commission standards and accreditation process. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the service manager. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: BHIP Social Worker Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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