Social Worker - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until June 30, 2026, or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be March 23, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected, but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken & written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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). A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensure - Persons hired or reassigned 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 & above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. 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 a social worker. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (9/10/2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series & grade held, including positive education & licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: Social Worker GS-9 (Entry level) Experience, Education, & Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions & counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, & survivors. Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning & needs of Veterans & their family members, & to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, & assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, & groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment & skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships & communicate with clients, staff, & representatives of community agencies. Fundamental knowledge of medical & mental health diagnoses, disabilities, & treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, & traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications & their effects/side effects; & medical terminology. Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level, duties may include but are not limited to: identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives & advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with appropriate VA & community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran & family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning & needs of Veterans & their family members identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills & psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the Veteran, family, & interdisciplinary treatm