Member of Pain Care Team and provide intensive case management services to Veterans experiencing chronic pain with or without Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Participates in process of initial evaluation and assessment of pain condition and associated co-morbidities, treatment planning, and implementation of care plan. Participate in care delivery to Veterans at all divisions to include Community Based Outpatient Clinics. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 worker 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. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Exception: 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. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. Grade Determinations: GS-9: Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. 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. 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. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies. 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 Education: 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 and licensure or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. 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. 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. 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. 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 dated 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: This work requires light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying, use of fingers, walking (2 hours), standing (2 hours), operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid may be permitted), and emotional/mental stability. Environmental factors of the position is working outside and inside, excessive cold, dry atmospheric conditions, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working closely with others, and working alone. ["Provide complex clinical services to clients with chronic pain that are often complicated by psychological problems. Have expertise in evidence-based behavioral pain management psychotherapies. Complete indicated psychosocial assessments. Employs a variety of case management, psychological, rehabilitation, social work, counseling, and mental health techniques. Provides outreach services to clients and engages in community networking. Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-11 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Case Manager: Case manager for Veterans in the Pain Care program performing duties to reduce barriers to treatment plans. Facilitates successful treatment plans by coordinating mental health, community care and continuity of care/healthcare appointments. Psychosocial Assessment: Complete a psychosocial assessment for each referred Veteran and develop goals and objectives pertaining to the Veteran's areas of need. Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans: Complete an Interdisciplinary Treatment Plan for each referred Veteran by or before 3rd session, when changes occur, and annually or at discharge from Pain Care Team. Pain Care Team Referral management: Responds to referral sent to the Pain Care Team by conducting a virtual, in-person, or telephone interview of the Veteran. If the Veteran is interested in the program, will coordinate the three evaluations to determine rejection or acceptance into the program. Monitor consult access and provide an annual report summarizing access and the reasons for discontinuation of consults. Pain Social Worker Referrals: Pain Providers may submit referral for social work services for Pain Care Team pain patients. Respond to these referrals by interviewing the Veteran utilizing questionnaires and other measurement devices. Assess the Veteran's needs based on the referral request including emotional, functional, and psychological condition and present the findings to the Pain provider. Referral to Service Providers: Function as the expert in VA and community resources subject matters. Collaborate with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs for additional resources in support of the Veteran's recovery. Advocacy: Act as an advocate when it serves in the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, social worker will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate for themselves, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Crisis Intervention: Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans. Access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of the crisis. Education/Health Promotion and Prevention: Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, Advanced Directives/Living Will and will refer Veterans/families to the appropriate interdisciplinary team for identified health education needs. Educates Veterans about the importance of monitoring medical records and being responsible for their own health care. Introduce Veteran's Library, my-health-e-vet, form for obtaining medical records, the advantages of my-health-e-vet Premium account, and the form for health information exchanges. Treatment: Help Veterans adjust to current living situation; explore areas of deficit in activities of daily living; provide and/or arrange skill building educational activities; explore areas of psychosocial conflicts or trauma seeking resolution or psychological stability (maintenance) by using a \"Recovery Model' based approach. Administrative Responsibilities: Enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates. Complete Clinical Reminders and interface with mental health to ensure integrated delivery of services. Collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required. Participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attend all meetings and perform other duties as required by Behavioral Health Service. This may include coverage responsibilities in the absence of other social work staff to ensure timely access and coordination of care. Complete the continuing education hours needed for maintaining professional licensure. Demonstrates professional behavior that conforms to VA regulations and policy, State and Federal Laws and code of ethics of appropriate professional social work accrediting organization. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]