Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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/
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - GS-12 Experience and Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment - demonstrating progressively more professional competency
• 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 social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level - and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation - negotiation - and monitoring
• (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines for the program
• (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• (d) Skill in organizing work - setting priorities - meeting multiple deadlines - and evaluating assigned program area(s)
• (e) Ability to provide training - orientation - and guidance within clinical practice
• Preferred Experience: Knowledge and experience working with spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) - use of fingers - hearing (aid may be permitted) - and hearing without aid
• Environmental factors include working closely with others.

Duties

• Program Management: Oversees program development - quality improvement projects - assessment - counseling and recommending to Veterans and caregivers - case management - development of policies and care processes - and coordination with interdisciplinary treatment teams
• Identifies community agencies - establishes intake processes - establishes oversight responsibilities - and maintains a record-keeping system for the program
• Provides training to caregivers - students - residents - interns - and fellows from other disciplines regarding the advantages and disadvantages of Social Work programs
• Has extensive knowledge of geriatrics - community agencies and partnerships and VA programs
• Screening/Assessment: Receives and completes referrals from interdisciplinary teams and VA Primary Care teams on complex - difficult cases - using advanced practice skills and expertise
• Incumbent also provides consultation to referral sources and is responsible for development and maintenance of professional standards of practice and educating others regarding such
• Interviews and conducts psychosocial assessments
• interviews veterans and family members and/or significant others to establish facts about the veteran's unique situation
• presenting problems and their causes - and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health
• assesses high risk factors - acuity and need for services
• Reviews all data - subjective and objective - and makes a clinical assessment - identifying needs and strengths
• Uses advanced clinical training - insight and experience to interpret data and to identify viable options
• Treatment Planning: Develops psychosocial treatment plans in collaboration with HCBS interdisciplinary team
• Using known available resources and the initial assessment of the veteran's likelihood to accept differing types of assistance - makes initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals
• Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment
• Evaluation and Management: Establishes a continuing relationship with the community agencies - caregiver - and veteran - and involved family members - evaluating progress towards goals - and adjusting the program plan as appropriate
• Monitors progress - maintains comprehensive documentation - ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders - and shows competent discretion in decision to adjust treatment
• Provides the patient and/or caregivers and family members with ongoing supportive counseling
• Assists patient and/or caregivers in coping and dealing with the loss and grief experienced in chronic illness - terminal illness - death and other psychosocial challenges impacted by their experiences
• Advocacy: Acts as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the veteran/family
• Acts as an advocate for the VA and need for services in specific geographical areas
• Crisis Intervention: Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans to maintain the Veteran
• In the event of an alleged abuse case - medical or psychiatric emergency - the protocol of the medical center policy will be followed
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM - Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 80711-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized