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The Pain Medicine social worker provides case management, direct clinical services for veterans, and administrative coverage to the Pain Management Clinic within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). This position is located within the Pain Clinic and functions in part as the Psychosocial Services Coordinator for the STVHCS Clinical Resource Hub for interdisciplinary pain management at Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital located in San Antonio, Texas. 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: 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/. 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.] Physical Requirements. Please see "Physical Requirements" listed below. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). GS-11 Preferred Experience: EBP Certification Prior experience in similar role or with population served Clinical supervision certification Quality or utilization management experience Former VA Trainee Licensed to practice at independent practice level Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. GS-11 Social Worker. 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 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. 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. Assignments. This is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills and knowledge to maintain Veteran privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; and acts as an advocate with appropriate VA and community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. Incumbent independently assesses the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, identifying the Veteran's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 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 GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light to moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); light to moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); repeate4d bending (2-4 hours); operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; specific visual requirement (far vision: 20/30); ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and Emotional Stability; sit for extended periods; performs independently; cognitive stability. ["The social worker is assigned to a specialty outpatient clinic and provides the following: prevention; health promotion, coordination and chronic disease management, some brief therapy and treatment planning. The social worker in this Veteran-Centric approach often functions as a care coordinator with a panel of Veterans to ensure that health care meets the needs of this Veteran population. The primary responsibility is to assist Veterans served in the Pain Management clinic to navigate care, facilitate access and follow-up, and provide coordination of care with PACT, inpatient medicine, and other services within the health care system, ensure homeless-sensitive care is being provided. They also serve as the liaison with community agencies and providers, in coordination of specialty care for the population served in the clinic. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide multi-axial diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy under the supervision of their LCSW Supervisor, or their Administrative Social Work Supervisor who is an LCSW-S Complete assessments via phone, VVC and/or face to face Provide care management and coordination of care with other sections Utilizes clinical skills, professional judgement, and expertise when providing clinical case management and/or counseling services to address pain treatment needs for Veteran and options for caregiver within their scope of practice Incorporate clinical social work interventions to maximize psychosocial functioning, foster healthy adaptations to complex medical conditions, promote positive coping strategies, enhance quality of life, and improve health outcomes Establish and maintain professional interactions and relationships with stakeholders both within the VA and the Community, with focus on population served in the specialty clinic Provide expertise in the psychosocial screening and care of veterans and assisting in making SMART goals that are attainable and sustainable through the course of treatment Provide support for Caregivers via education, brief therapeutic interventions, and supportive contacts Works independently in contacting the veteran to coordinate care, education on resources and verify the psychosocial needs as identified by the treatment team Serves as a liaison between Veterans and/or their families and VA and community resources in order to ensure thorough delivery of services Provides education to Veterans and families in regards My health e-vet, whole health program and Community Care options Educate Veterans regarding benefits and services, community resources, and process for making appropriate referrals to community and other governmental programs or agencies Provide individual, family and group counseling as appropriate to address pain management needs Serve as a Lead Coordinator for CC & ICM regarding pain management Monitor documentation to ensure that staff completes and follow the protocols for Suicide Risk Assessment to include completion of the PHQ-I9, CSSRS in the Mental Health Assistant, Suicide Risk Evaluation, Behavior Reports and safety planning on all patients with suicidal ideation and/or on any patient whose record is flagged \"High Risk for Suicide.\" Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]