- Position Title
- Social Worker
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBFF-11115734-21-BDW-OCA Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, May 24, 2021 to Thursday, September 30, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
VHA Health Professional Trainee (HPT) refers to individuals (1) appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements and (2) receiving VHA Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC). If you are a past, current, or upcoming VHA HPT, please answer 'Yes' to the following question. (To be considered, HPT Eligible Supporting documentation [e.g., SF-50 indicating the trainee position, WOC agreement letter, or HPSP acceptance letter] must be submitted with your application.)
1.
Are you a student and recent graduate of a qualifying educational institution who is:
(1) employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship program at the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(2) employed in the Department of Veterans Affairs in a volunteer capacity and who are performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in an internship or fellowship program and who meet the required number of hours for conversion; or
(3) employed in the Department of Veterans Affairs under a contract or agreement with an external nonprofit organization and who are performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in an internship or fellowship program; or
(4) in receipt of Post 9/11 Educational Assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.).
Appointment under this authority is subject to Veteran's preference requirements.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in P.L. 115-46, VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, section 206. Such documentation may include:
Education - a copy of your latest transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation.
Employment/Volunteerism - a copy of your Standard Form 50, letter from employer, non-profit agency, etc.
Educational Benefits - a copy of the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance benefit award letter, letter of completion of the Chapter 33 program, etc.
(1) employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship program at the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(2) employed in the Department of Veterans Affairs in a volunteer capacity and who are performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in an internship or fellowship program and who meet the required number of hours for conversion; or
(3) employed in the Department of Veterans Affairs under a contract or agreement with an external nonprofit organization and who are performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals in an internship or fellowship program; or
(4) in receipt of Post 9/11 Educational Assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.).
Appointment under this authority is subject to Veteran's preference requirements.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in P.L. 115-46, VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, section 206. Such documentation may include:
Education - a copy of your latest transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation.
Employment/Volunteerism - a copy of your Standard Form 50, letter from employer, non-profit agency, etc.
Educational Benefits - a copy of the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance benefit award letter, letter of completion of the Chapter 33 program, etc.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 10 location(s).
- No matches found
3.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
4.
Please select the appointment type(s) for which you wish to be considered (one or both).
5.
Please select the work schedule you are applying for (one or both).
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a Social Worker position with the Veteran's Health Administration. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
1.
EDUCATION: Do you possess 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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work.
(UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit the required document, your application may not be reviewed.)
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 the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work.
(UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit the required document, your application may not be reviewed.)
2.
Please provide the following information regarding your education: Name of College/University and location; Degree Earned; Date Conferred; Accreditation Information
3.
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.
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.
Are you licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level? (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED)
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.
Are you licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level? (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED)
4.
Please provide the accrediting State and Date Licensure was issued, License Number, and Expiration Date. (Copy of licensure required.)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
5.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Social Workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy. Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
6.
GS-9 KSAs: Do you possess the following demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
(a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
(e) 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.
(a) Ability to work with Veterans and family members from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds utilizing counseling skills.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
(e) 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.
7.
GS-11 Experience OR Education Requirement:
Experience: 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); OR
Education: Possess a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work.
Experience: 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); OR
Education: Possess a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
8.
GS-11 KSAs: Do you possess the following demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.
(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.
9.
Self-certification of Understanding:
Please use the Text-Box below to 'Self-Certify' that you understand the following: I understand that this job announcement is a Standing Register being used to provide continued support to the VA's mission nationwide, and does not necessarily constitute a physical job opening per any specific location. I further understand that my application will only be reviewed and/or referred to hiring managers on an 'as-needed' basis.
Please use the Text-Box below to 'Self-Certify' that you understand the following: I understand that this job announcement is a Standing Register being used to provide continued support to the VA's mission nationwide, and does not necessarily constitute a physical job opening per any specific location. I further understand that my application will only be reviewed and/or referred to hiring managers on an 'as-needed' basis.
Transcript Reminder - If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.
Licensure-Certification Reminder - If the position requires a licensure/certification to qualify, you must submit a copy of your licensure/certification with your application.
VA Form 10-2850 Reminder - Candidates seeking employment under 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, must submit one of the following application forms: (1) VA Form 10-2850, Application for Physicians, Dentists, Podiatrists, Optometrists, and Chiropractors; (2) VA Form 10-2850a, Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists; (3) VA Form 10-2850b, Application for Residency; (4) VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health Occupations
RESUME REMINDER- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.