The Clinical Social Worker in this position provides direct services to adult and geriatric Veterans enrolled in the Contract Nursing Home (CNH)/ Community Adult Day Health Care (CADHC) Program with case management, clinical assessment, advocacy, linkage, and oversight. The Social Worker partners with the appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies as needed based upon the Veteran's need. Works in collaboration with staff at the CNH facilities and other teams as appropriate. 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. 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. 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. For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as asocial worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure. A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record. Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level. Each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services, and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at https://www.aswb.org/. The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations. The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification, while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification. Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations Social Worker, 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. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates 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. Independently conducts 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. Independently implements 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. Provides consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/50, Part II, APPENDIX G39. SOCIAL WORKER QUALIFICATION STANDARD dated September 10, 2019 Physical Requirements: Work, divided between office and clinical settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer. ["This position is responsible for assessment, planning, and provision of case management services in the CNH and CADHC Program. Coordinates a variety of activities including: oversight visits; interdisciplinary activities; psychosocial assessments; coordination of care; consultation/education to Medical Center staff and community based service provider. Responsible for the collection and reporting of program data and census. Will complete a comprehensive psychosocial and case management services to Veterans enrolled in the CNH and CADHC program. These services include: Assessment and visits of Veterans enrolled in the CNH program as identified within the Community Care Field Guidebook; visits of Veterans enrolled in the CADHC program as identified by the Community Care Field Guidebook; discharge planning; referral to community and VHA resources; conducting annual reviews of CNH facilities; and coordinate monthly CNH visit travel schedule with the CNH RN. The CNH/CADHC Social Worker is responsible for social work activities to Veterans and their families in the CNH/CADHC program. The patients served, consistently have complex physical and emotional problems associated with their illness. Works closely with the Veteran's guardian, family, caregiver, significant other and family members to assure appropriate care is received. The Social Worker acts as a liaison between the VA and the CNH staff. Coordinates and collaborates with the CNH/CADC Coordinators, Primary Care Physicians, inpatient Social Workers, PACT Social Workers, Specialty staff (i.e. PT, OT, Psychiatry, SLP), and OSH staff for situational awareness, problem solving, and CNH service requests. To effectively assist the Veteran, the Social Worker must have sound working knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior, a thorough knowledge of social work concepts, methods, and ability to implement these. Must be competent in all aspects of social work and the use of diagnostic skills in identifying CNH/CADHC patient problems and issues to allow accurate decision making for problem solving. The CNH/CADHC Social Worker is responsible for learning and understanding the quality management requirements of the CNH program. The CNH/CADHC Social Worker is responsible for educating CNH/CADHC staff on VA programs, regulations, and issues related to the specific programs. Must develop an effective working relationship with the community agency staff and have an understanding of State Medicaid/Medicare regulations with regard to the CNH/CADHC programs. The CNH/CADHC Social Worker is responsible for timely documentation in CPRS regarding all patient interventions. The Social Worker will establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. The Social Worker will act as a member of the CNH Oversight Committee. The Social Worker will attend all appropriate staff meetings (i.e. team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, Social Work supervision meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, etc., as appropriate) and perform other duties as required. The Social Worker will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. The Social Worker will participate in activities that obtain feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday (8:00 am to 4:30 pm) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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