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. 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. Learn more 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. 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 to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level. 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: Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs Below: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Use of fingers; Specific visual requirement (see computer screen); Hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; Working alone. ["The Social Worker works within the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specialty Clinic treatment team providing psychotherapy services in person and via video technology to outpatient Veterans presenting with substance use and addiction problems. The primary age of Veterans served in the clinic is normally between the ages of 18-65 or older, most of whom are men. The SUD Specialty Clinic program offers a variety of treatment services, including: specialized SUD assessment, individual psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy. Approaches used include harm reduction, motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement, mindfulness based relapse prevention, and CBT modalities. Duties include, but are not limited to: Screening/Assessment: Independently engages in information gathering, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up. Fully utilizes the current DSM in making diagnoses and formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices. Makes professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation. Delivers services both in person and via video technology. Treatment Planning/Interventions: Independently utilizes a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions. Treatment approaches include but are not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and motivational enhancement therapy. Establishes goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices. Provides complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Serves as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) for assigned veterans and conducts the duties of this role. Effectively communicates with and utilizes community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. Possesses knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of counseling. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds. Serves on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning of individuals, groups and families and on the counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques that will best help patients function effectively. Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on patients who are their responsibility. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Complies with peer review procedures. Participates as a member of VA SORCC committees as directed. Attends regular meetings in the SUD Specialty Clinic, Outpatient Behavioral Health Service Line, and Behavioral Health Service Line. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:30\nTelework: Available; (Not Remote Eligible - On Station Work is Required)\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Stacy.Hermann@va.gov or Crystal.White6@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator(s) for questions/assistance.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]