These Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHlCM) Social Worker positions are in Mental Health services at the VA Healthcare Systems, located at the Bangor, Portland, and Togus, Maine locations. These positions are full-time at 40 hours per week. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job 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: United States 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 VA Policy. 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 the CSWE website to verify if that 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-185 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 on the OHRM website. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. 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: 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. 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. ["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 The Social Worker functions as the VA Maine Health Care System (VAMEHCS) Case Manager for the Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHlCM) and is part of the multi -disciplinary treatment team, providing comprehensive case management to patients assigned to the MHICM team. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides complex clinical services to clients with serious psychological problems on a regular and continuing basis, including suicide preventions, crisis intervention, short- and long-term treatment, emergency food and shelter location, legal referral, employment, structured placement, financial matters, socialization, and any problems encountered in daily living. Completes annual psychosocial assessments that are updated each year. Makes routine home visits for case management and/or coordination of care based upon the acuity of each Veteran following the assessment. Conducts community visits to clients to maintain and encourage community living. Collaborates with Community Residential Care homes where Veterans reside to facilitate community living in the least restrictive environment and to provide support services for the homes. At times, the client may request assistance with placement into a different facility. Accommodates the Veteran, when possible, in providing transportation to take Veterans to medical appointments, job sites, social activities, and other community resources. Responsible to spend at least 75% of their time in the community. Referrals may also be initiated by other interdisciplinary team members that identify psychosocial issues. Responsibilities include an ongoing assessment and adjustment of the Veteran's treatment and progress, as well as developing discharge plans. Works in conjunction with Inpatient MH Social Workers by providing assistance with difficult discharges, provides continuity of care by following up with clients discharged from Mental Health Inpatient care. Provides outreach services to clients and engages in community networking which may include coordination with lawyers, residential care home operators, physicians, clergymen, and representatives of other discipline s who are concerned with the client or same group of clients. Performs other related assigned duties as listed in functional statement. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday; 07:30am-4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May Be Authorized 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. 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: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 402-F02755 & 402-F02758 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTIFICATIONS: Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. This position is in the Excepted Service. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Maine Healthcare System campus, as needed. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment."]

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