Social Worker (PCMHI)

This position is in the Primary Care Mental Health Integration within Behavioral Health located at VA Fayetteville Coastal HCS within the VISN 6 Mid-Atlantic HCN. The incumbent serves as a Clinical Social Worker, and provides mental health expertise and support to the Primary Care Providers relative to Veteran patients experiencing depression and / or problem drinking behaviors, as well as concerns with thoughts of self-harm / suicide, anxiety and adjustment disorders, and grief / bereavement. 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 : Applicants must be United States Citizen as required by 38. 7402 [NOTE : When it is not possible to recruit qualified United States Citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 7405 without regard to the United States Citizenship requirements of 38 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Applicants must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.]. English Language Proficiency : Applicants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 7402(d), and 7407(d).]. Education Requirement : 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. Note : 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 to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure : Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Current state requirements may be found by going to (1) 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. Grandfathering Provision : 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 : In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet one of the grade determinations Grade Level : Experience, Education, Licensure / Certification : None beyond the basic requirements above; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below : 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 Grade Level : Experience : 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, applicants must demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below : 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 ( 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. Preferred Experience : Applicant that have experience working in Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) is preferred, but not necessary to apply. References : VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-39 Social Worker Qualification Standard, 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (, professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ["VA Careers - Social Work : Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Social Work : These major duties include, but are not limited to : Serves as a Clinical Social Worker. Performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs with supervision. Must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities, provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. Psychotherapy will be evidence-based in nature whenever available for a condition, and the incumbent will utilize best practices to the extent possible in all patient care interactions. Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran / family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team. Possesses the skills to offer psychosocial interventions and measures outcomes to interventions. Is able to coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services. Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members with supervision. Has working knowledge and experience in use 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. Coordinates contact with the facility Suicide Prevention Coordinator where clinically warranted for a veteran patient under his / her care. Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. Operate from a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model of care in all veteran patient and family interactions. General knowledge of veterans' benefits and services relating to special programs, service connected compensation, non-service connected pension. Facilitates referrals based upon veterans needs and eligibility. Able to meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Is able to provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately. Has working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Work Schedule : Monday through Friday, from 8 : 00 AM to 4 : 30 PM (EST) Compressed / Flexible : Not available Telework : Not Available Virtual / Remote : This is not a virtual / remote position. Position Title / Functional Statement # : Social Worker (PCMHI) / PD1893FA Recruitment / Relocation Incentives : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"]