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This is an Open Continuous Announcement Pease see the "Next Steps" section found under the "How to Apply" tab for information regarding cutoff dates. The incumbent is a Social Worker at to the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL providing services to Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Retirees and their Dependents at the FHCC Main Campus and in Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Evanston Illinois, McHenry Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin. 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: 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. Preferred Experience Knowledge of Nursing Services, Acute Medical/Surgical, and Emergency Department environments. Ability to collaborate with all disciplines and levels of service internal/external. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). 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. 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: (a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: The work of a Social Worker requires extreme patience and control of ones emotions. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand considerable emotional pressure and stress as part of their day to day activities. Duties require periods of sitting, standing, walking, driving, bending, or carrying light objects. Work is primarily performed in an office type setting that exposes the incumbent to communicable diseases. The incumbent may also be required to drive a government vehicle. The incumbents environment may include visits to community agencies and community & government social services agencies. ["The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is a Level 1C/Large Facility and is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (DOD), integrating all medical care into a fully-integrated federal health care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The Social Worker in this position is assigned to the FHCC inpatient Acute Medicine and Critical Care Units, and the Emergency Department in the Nursing Services Directorate. The incumbent will be part of a comprehensive team facilitating appropriate delivery of care to Veterans, Active Duty and Tri-Care patients. The major duties include screening/assessing for psychosocial needs, referrals to service providers, advance care planning, patient education, crisis intervention, advocacy, consultation, and inpatient case management and discharge planning. The incumbent facilitates efficient and appropriate delivery of care throughout the patient's inpatient and emergency department stays. The incumbent is responsible for the following duties: Perform interviews to establish professional rapport with patients, their families and caregivers, maintaining effective therapeutic relationships. Independently complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments in keeping with patient treatment needs, professional and regulatory standards, local policies, clinical impressions and planning recommendations. Provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Refers to appropriate service providers/community agencies for any VA, Tri-Care, and community-based needs of the patient. Provides advocacy when it serves the best interest of the patient/family. Including submission of abuse reports to the appropriate state agency. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the causes, as well as, the presenting complaint. Coordinates family conferences and serves as a liaison to family members. Independently screen/assess for patient psychosocial needs and prioritize work-load per position policy. Independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Assist patients with completion of Advance Directives and Living Wills. Assist patients and their families in dealing with life limiting illness and provide education and assistance with advance care planning, hospice/palliative care, and community resources. Develop and implement treatment plans. Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, participate through collaboration with patients and family, as well as, the interdisciplinary treatment team members in the development and implementation of treatment goals and interventions. Coordinate discharge planning of hospitalized patients beginning on the day of admission and address unique needs of the patient. Coordinate communication with appropriate stakeholders on all pertinent patient information to ensure effective transition to other levels of care. Coordinate transportation for eligible patients. Coordinate care with other VA and non-VA resources to assure continuity of care. Conduct periodic follow-up of patients in an effort to address current situation coping Provide information and education to patients, their families and caregivers to help assure that the ongoing medical, emotional and social needs are met. Independently make use of guidelines in a creative flexible manner and use sound judgment in selecting techniques or introducing new practices and methods. Participate on committees as needed/when requested. Supervise social work students as needed/when requested. Participate in professional development activities as requested/required. Provide orientation and coaching to new social workers as needed/when requested. Work Schedule: (Monday - Friday) 07:30 am - 4:00 pm or 08:00 am - 4:30 pm, NO weekend/holiday coverage Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Recruitment Incentive: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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