Summary

The Social Worker Program Coordinator provides clinical services including - but not limited to - group and individual counseling related to diagnoses - educating patients about Advance Directives - VA benefits and Medicare/MediCal Insurance benefits. Works closely with the Specially Clinic Supervisory Social Worker in assisting patients followed int the Orthopedic Clinic and Community Living Center rehabilitation unit.

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
• [Transcripts must be submitted at time of application
• Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s)
• Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable] Licensure
• 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
• Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
• [Copies of licensure/certification must be submitted with application packet] 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: Applicants must have at least one (1) 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate 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
• Assignments: 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
• Program coordinators at the GS-12 grade level are administratively responsible for a clinical program providing treatment to Veterans in a major specialty area - such as but not limited to: Spinal Cord Injury - Homeless Continuum Veteran Program - Hospice and Palliative Care Program - Suicide Prevention Program - Veterans Justice Outreach - Caregiver Support Program and Community Nursing Home Program
• The program coordinator may be the sole practitioner in this specialty at the facility and typically provide direct patient care services in the program area
• The program coordinator oversees the daily operation of the program - develop policies and procedures for program operation - and prepare reports and statistics for facility - VISN - and national use
• They may be responsible for the program's budget - developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice - standards and guidelines on documentation - workload - data entry - ethical practice and service delivery
• The program coordinator provides analysis and evaluation of clinical program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service
• They may be responsible for - or contribute to - the program's resource and fiscal management - monitoring control points developing the annual budget - operating within that budget - and accounting for appropriated funds
• The program coordinator is administratively responsible for the clinical programming and prepares reports and statistics for facility - VISN - and national use
• They provide leadership - direction - orientation - coaching - in-service training - staff development - and continuing education programs for assigned staff
• They initiate and conduct a variety of program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and reports - including productivity assessments
• They oversee program operations and evaluations - identifying areas for improvement - gathering relevant data - assessing the data - developing and implementing ideas for improvement and evaluating efficacy of improvement efforts
• References: VA Handbook 5005/120 - Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-0185 Veterans Health Administration
• Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required - as is performing activities involving sitting - walking - and prolonged standing - bending and carrying such items as books - papers - and files
• In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans - their families - representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies
• The incumbent must possess current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness
• Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients - including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice
• Performs case finding functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs
• Provides counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families and groups
• Conducts psychosocial assessments
• Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the Veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team
• Performs evaluations for transplants as assigned
• Incumbent coordinates community-based services - including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs - other government programs and community agency programs
• Performs case finding functions and outreach - identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs
• Incumbent must possess the knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities - provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals - families and groups
• Identifies high-risk patients and provides case management services
• incumbent provides crisis intervention services - seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint - coordinates family conferences and serves as liaison to family members
• Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families
• Works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical and social problems utilizing individual - group and family counseling and therapy skills
• Assesses the Veteran and family's understanding of their diagnosis and proposed treatments in the clinic setting
• Provides intervention to assist the Veteran and family cope with their diagnosis and emerging emotions
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan
• Ability to evaluate incumbent's own practice through professional peer review - case conferences and other organizational means
• Communicates effectively - both orally and in writing - with people from varied backgrounds
• Works closely with Community Care and Veterans not currently assigned to a PACT team
• Provides social work assessment and treatment in the Orthopedic clinic
• Provides discharge planning and assists in placements Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am to 4:30pm - (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required