Job Details

Caregiver Support Program Social Worker

The Social Worker for the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) provides clinical evidence-based services and interventions; program development; caregiver, Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality-improvement activities and evaluation/consultation related to the caregiver program. The social worker will function in support of caregivers, Veterans and family members throughout the Medical Center and in the community. Responsibilities include:

• Assists with the development of policies and procedures for program operation and assist with development of reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use.
• The social worker plans, organizes caregiver, Veteran and personnel activities for the program when directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrates the independent practice skill level in social work and function in support of caregivers, Veterans and family members throughout the medical center and in community settings.
• Possesses knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources.
• Develops and implements program specific to his/her area of assignment and insures compliance and collaboration with local facility and the VA Central Office Caregiver Support Program initiatives in concert with the facility CSP supervisor.
• Participates in direct caregiver and Veteran communication to identify and assess caregiver stress/burden and the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions.
• Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues.
• Creates educational tools, develops programs and implements training focused on specific caregiver needs/issues.
• Provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families and caregivers.
• Develops and facilitates caregiver support groups (face-to-face or VANTS telephone line) and educational programs.
• Conducts caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social needs as treatment issues.
• Coordinates with other disciplines within the medical center to maintain the program goals, for the purpose of providing a comprehensive assessment for the veterans and caregivers in the PCAFC and seeking assistance from the program.
• Provides referral to VA medical and mental health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs.
• Serves as consultant for information on negotiating the complex processes caregivers, Veterans and families encounter when interacting with government and community agencies.
• Stays abreast of current federal and state legislation directed at assisting caregivers to continue providing caregiving in an environment that is safe for both themselves and the Veteran.
• Collaborates with the VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), mental health and geriatric primary care clinicians to provide Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues.
• Develops a library of caregiver support information materials for distribution through the various inpatient/outpatient and specialty clinic settings.
• Serves as a liaison between the VA and community agencies.
• Participates in caregiver support activities in the local community and state to promote and recognize the role of the caregiver.
• Participates on state and local caregiver support committees.
• Invites state and community caregiver related agencies to participate on the local VA Caregiver Support Advisory Board.
• Coordinates the events and programs for the annual National Family Caregivers Month every November that includes announcement and advertising of month-long activities, mobilization of participants, educational sessions, caregiver recognition events and caregiver support programs.
• Serve Veterans and their caregivers in the community settings including their homes and at offsite VA locations including Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) including those who might live in rural parts of Northern Arizona.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00Am -4:30PM

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be Authorized

Telework: Available

Functional Statement #: 000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.
• 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).
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Social Worker, GS-11: 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, OR 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.

Additional Information:

Preferred Experience: Prior experience working in caregiver programs, especially those affiliated with the VA or related veteran services, is highly valued. Familiarity with VA forms and documentation processes, such as VA Form 10-10CG, and knowledge of eligibility criteria for caregivers and veterans. Demonstrated ability to provide education, training, and emotional support to caregivers, and to coordinate access to benefits like stipends, counseling, and respite care. A background in social work with populations requiring long-term or daily assistance. Strong interpersonal communication and crisis intervention skills.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

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-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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