SOCIAL WORKER (CLINICAL) - (GS-0185-11/12) - Ft Cavazos, TX

Fort Cavazos is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Founded in 1942, this 340-sq.-mile military base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces.

A 214,968 acre installation, Fort Cavazos is now the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Forces and the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

The rolling, semi-arid terrain is ideal for multifaceted training and testing of military units and individuals.  Additionally, the Killeen community is a model of support for Army families. There are lots of resources and networks available to assist you.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/ 

Major Duties:  SOCIAL WORKER (CLINICAL) - (GS-0185-11) 

1. Screens and interviews patients and perform bio-psychosocial evaluations using expert knowledge of general and specific concepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating to psychological counseling. Provides targeted assessment and evaluation which includes diagnostic impressions and functional status focused on the presenting problem. Provides timely and succinct feedback to other medical providers and service members command when appropriate regarding consultations findings and recommendations. Makes behavioral health diagnoses as appropriate in accordance with DSM-IV-TR criteria or other more current accepted standards. Provides individual and group therapy using various modalities as clinically indicated to include brief problem-focused psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and client-centered therapy. Assesses and provides crisis intervention for service members. Reviews and approves the appropriate modality of each patient. Participates with other professional staff in providing emergency behavioral health services on a scheduled, rotating and on-call basis to patients during normal duty hours to include screening patients for appropriateness of psychiatric hospitalizations. Maintains full professional responsibility and individual accountability for professional decisions and actions. Uses findings, conclusions and recommendations are accepted as being professionally sound by colleagues and organization superiors.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Major Duties:  SOCIAL WORKER (CLINICAL) - (GS-0185-12) 

1. Screens and interviews patients and perform bio-psychosocial evaluations using expert knowledge ofgeneral and specific concepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating to psychological counseling.Provides targeted assessment and evaluation which includes diagnostic impressions and functional statusfocused on the presenting problem. Provides timely and succinct feedback to other medical providers andservice members command when appropriate regarding consultations findings and recommendations. Makesbehavioral health diagnoses as appropriate in accordance with DSM-IV-TR criteria or other more currentaccepted standards. Provides individual and group therapy using various modalities as clinically indicated toinclude brief problem-focused psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and client-centered therapy.Assesses and provides crisis intervention for service members. Reviews and approves the appropriate modalityof each patient. Participates with other professional staff in providing emergency behavioral health services ona scheduled, rotating and on-call basis to patients during normal duty hours to include screening patients forappropriateness of psychiatric hospitalizations. Maintains full professional responsibility and individualaccountability for professional decisions and actions. Uses findings, conclusions and recommendations areaccepted as being professionally sound by colleagues and organization superiors.

2. Formulates behavioral health interventions and assists with implementing and monitoring treatment plans.Provides focused follow ups which includes relapse and prevention education. Triage and referral patients toSpecialty Behavioral Health Care when appropriate. Performs administrative functions as an interdisciplinaryteam member. Provides on-going consultation services for a sub-set of patients who require on-goingmonitoring and follow-up (i.e., continuity consultations) with providers where appropriate. Evaluates treatmenteffectiveness using objectives and measurable outcomes to make adjustments if appropriate for increasedcompliance and efficacy. Works as an inter-disciplinary team member to develop specific clinical pathways or best practice programs for targeted patient groups such as patients with acute stress symptoms and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

3. Provide concise documentation of care and recommendations in patient’s medical record in no more than 72hours after the patient is seen.

4. Evaluates training opportunities and professional development activities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

US Citizenship required

Degree:   Master's degree (or higher degree) in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

FOREIGN EDUCATION:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Licensure:  This position requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice Social Work independently offered by a U.S. State, District of Columbia, Commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction.

Specialized Experience:  One year of specialized experience which includes conducting bio-psychosocial evaluations of behavioral health patients, providing individual or group counseling, and developing behavioral health treatment recommendations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service.