Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy)
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates 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/
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency
• Examples of specialized experience at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence
• use of clinical social work skills
• maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives
• acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver
• independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity
• In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring
• Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s)
• Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice
• Preferred Experience: 2 years experience in dialysis social work and case management 1 year experience in completion of psychosocial assessments 1 year experience in prioritizing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines Reference: 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: Light lifting and carrying, under 15 pounds
• Straight pulling (1 hour)
• Pushing (1 hour)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers, Both hands required
• Walking (2-3 hours)
• Standing (1 hour)
• Repeated bending (1 hour)
• 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
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Frequent keyboarding 4-7 hours
• Sitting (5-7 hours)
• A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle.