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This Social Worker is assigned to the Dialysis Unit in the Department of Hospital & Specialty Medicine and will be collaborating with the Dialysis Social Work Program Coordinator. This multidisciplinary clinic includes medical, nursing, and administrative specialties in dialysis. 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of 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/. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker, GS-9: (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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. Social Worker, GS-11: (1) 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.OR (2) 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. (3) 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 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 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. Physical Requirements: Use of fingers, Walking (less than 1 hour), Hearing (aid permitted), Vision, Mental and emotional stability required Environmental Factors: Working closely with others ["VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: Provides a range of psychosocial and behavioral interventions as a member of the multidisciplinary clinic; serving as a point of contact for communications; providing ongoing case management for Veterans who dialyze at the Portland VA Medical Center Dialysis Unit Conducts psychosocial screens and/or assessments of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others. The initial assessment will be completed as specified by the patient-care policy for the assigned work area, to include the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL). After the initial patient assessment, reassessments may also be required as defined in policy. Completes behavioral health clinical reminders for patients in assigned specialty clinics and conducts clinical reminders during clinic visits and, as needed, by telephone as clinic visit follow-ups. May also provide clinical support to non-assigned specialty clinics for behavioral health clinical reminders. Uses knowledge and mastery of theories and modalities required for the treatment of complex medical, behavioral, and psychosocial health care needs of Veterans in the above assigned clinics and specialty care programs. Works closely with Veterans to identify and support their preferences in care and personal treatment goals, and offers resources and support tailored to the uniquely expressed needs and desires of the Veteran. Incorporates multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice and has the ability to determine priority for services and provide specialized treatment services. Provides individual and group psychotherapeutic and supportive treatments for Veterans. Uses a range of evidenced-based psychotherapeutic interventions with special emphasis given to motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and chronic disease management group interventions. Individual and group therapy interventions will include time limited and on-going services. Participates in the creation of the Veteran's treatment plan, with special attention to the psychosocial elements of the treatment plan and identifies needed psychosocial interventions. Uses knowledge and mastery of theories and modalities required for the complex medical, behavioral, and psychosocial health care case management and care coordination needs of needs of Veterans. transportation. Serves as the subject matter expert on VA and community resources related to the needs of the Veteran, family, and/or caregiver. Collaborates with other providers in ongoing reassessment of the Veteran's health care needs and treatment planning. Communicates test results to patients and coordinates appropriate after-care and needed follow-up services following a Veteran's specialty treatment. Coordinates with interdisciplinary team members, the Veteran and caregivers to proactively address discharge needs, to include, but not limited to home care services, supplies, equipment, medications, and related patient care needs and services. Assists in identifying the health education needs of Veterans and their families or caregivers and works with the interdisciplinary team to develop a plan to address health education needs. Education services include, but are not limited to, disease education, diagnosis and treatment options, acute symptom management, chronic disease management, medication, health promotion and self-care interventions, VA and community resources, benefits and entitlements, and Advance Health Care Planning (Advanced Directives, Living Wills, Power of Attorney for Health Care, and related documents). Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 6:00pm\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]