Supervisory Social Worker - ED/Inpatient

The Emergency Department (ED)/Inpatient Psychiatry Social Work Supervisor is located at the VA Western New York
Healthcare System in Buffalo, NY. It is a full-time position with administrative and clinical oversight for all
social workers assigned to the emergency department and the inpatient psychiatry unit. The supervisor preforms
administrative and clinical services related to social work services within the ED Mental Health Intake and Evaluation
Unit and the inpatient psychiatry unit.

The role of Emergency Department/Inpatient Psychiatry Social Work Supervisor is a complex assignment, overseeing
the care and management of the most vulnerable behavioral health and high-risk Veterans. Patients present with a
wide range of psychosocial and environmental problems that require creative problem solving and planning. This
position is responsible for providing social work services to Veterans referred to the ED or on inpatient psychiatry. The
coordination of care and follow-up for Veterans with behavioral health complaints who are seen in the ED and
admitted to inpatient psychiatry through the ED or transferred from other sources is a critical function of staff assigned
to these areas. This includes meeting with individuals or families who may be in crisis, education and referral for
resources and benefits, case management and post-intervention follow-up. Responsibilities will also include
consultation/education to medical center staff and services providers, the collection and maintenance of statistical
data, program planning evaluation and modification, and the supervision of students as assigned.

As a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team in the ED and on inpatient psychiatry, the individual conducts
work activity independently using his/her educational training, clinical experience, VA policies, and JC standards in
administering direct services: psychosocial assessment of patient/family needs in relation to the provision of
interdisciplinary treatment planning and service delivery; individual, group, and family counseling and casework
services for the purpose of addressing identified needs.

The Social Worker will collaborate with the other members of the ED and inpatient psychiatry team in the provision of
comprehensive health care services to veterans, will ensure equity of access, service, and benefits to this population,
and collect, develop and analyze data from this program, using appropriate clinical indicators and monitoring activities
to assure that the care provided is of the highest quality. The Social Worker will also complete periodic program
planning evaluations and reviews and will recommend and implement new programs and/or modifications/expansion
of existing programs, as indicated.

The Social Worker will conduct training for staff, students and community providers regarding ED/Inpatient Psychiatry
issues, will provide education, information and liaison with resources for veterans in the community, and will provide
technical assistance and educational sessions to community organizations as needed.

This worker is responsible for the implementation of written treatment program policies and procedures developed by
Social Work Service that are based on coherent empirical and theoretical rationale and are consistent with patient
rights, and the maintenance of comprehensive written patient progress notes, outcomes and discharge planning
services in collaboration with the unit treatment team.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the team/group leader as needed for the benefit of the veteran,
family, and quality of services provided.

The social worker is capable of practicing at the advance practice level and has specialized knowledge of practice
typically related to suicide assessment and crisis intervention. Incumbent should have at least 2 years in an area of
specialized social work practice and is licensed in a state at the advanced practice level.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (flexibility in tour is required to meet patient care needs)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD21S87-0
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Not required

Yes

None

• Job family (Series)

  0185 Social Work

  Similar jobs
  • Family Social Workers
  • Mental Health Social Workers
  • School Social Workers
  • Social Workers
  • Social Workers, All Other
  • Social Workers, Family

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  Qualifications
  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.
  For the GS-12
  • Education and Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
  • Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines.
  • Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
  • Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services.
  • Ability to provide staff training and development.
  • Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
  • Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the GS-12 grade level, supervisory social workers typically have significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to moderate sized professional and non-professional staff, including support staff and professional staff at the GS-12 grade level and below. The supervisory social worker is responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care/product line, or multiple facilities. They provide direct clinical services with or without program coordination responsibilities.]
  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).
  
  Additional Experience: Mental Health Social Work, Supervisory Experience and Advanced Practice SW License required
  
  References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39
  
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS -12
  
  Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. Education

  IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
  
  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

  Additional information

  Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  
  This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  
  It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
  
  This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
  
  VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
  
  Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
  
  If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
  
  Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., 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.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • License
  • VA Form 10-2850c
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  
  
  VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf.
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • VA Form 10-2850c
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  
  
  Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current excepted service federal employees.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.