Duties

This Social Worker position is in Social Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System located at the Brockton, MA campus.
This position is full time at 40 hours per week.
The incumbent serves as program coordinator for the Dementia Care Coordination Program, a new case management and care coordination program at the VA Boston Healthcare System. This new specialty treatment program is designed to provide preventive and proactive continuous patient-centered dementia care interventions that are evidence based. This GS-12 program coordinator is in a leadership position, works independently and has both administrative and clinical responsibilities. The incumbent leads the DCC Program, facilitating and promoting the use of dementia care coordination by Primary Care, Neurology, and Mental Health as appropriate to improve clinical outcomes. The incumbent works collaboratively with both existing VA providers/programs and community organizations to optimize accessibility and utilization of resources and to integrate delivery of healthcare services for those patients with dementia and their caregivers. The program serves veterans diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia and provides supportive interventions to their caregivers. The incumbent is responsible for initiating program development and program implementation. The incumbent manages/ plans and monitors the delivery of services for the DCC Program and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. This includes program evaluation and planning for expansion of services/staffing based on service needs. Program location is Brockton CampusThe duties include but are not limited to:

• The incumbent is currently the sole clinician serving as the Dementia Care Coordinator at the VA Boston Healthcare System for veterans diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers providing case management, care coordination and supportive interventions as needed.
• The incumbent is assigned to administrative responsibility for clinical program oversight and development. Duties include providing coordination of care and direct patient care services as well as managing the daily operation of the program.
• The incumbent manages and controls the use of data related to program and day to day functioning for program evaluation/ planning by maintaining statistical records for the program.
• The incumbent will participate in activities that obtain feedback from patients and their family/caregivers to enrich services and interventions. Based on program evaluation and research findings, the incumbent may propose new outcome measures and initiate changes in practice at the program level.
• The incumbent provides administrative, technical and clinical supervision necessary to accomplish the mission/goals of the DCC Program. When necessary, the incumbent provides clinical coverage to Primary Care Clinic in the absence of the Primary Care social worker to ensure timely access to and coordination of care for veterans/ family systems.
• The incumbent documents in the patient's medical record in accordance with Social Work Service policies, Medical Center policies, and Joint Commission requirements. This includes an initial bio-psycho-social evaluation of the patient and the caregiver.
• The incumbent evaluates the patient's situation, including the patient's ability to cope/deal with their current situation given any urgent/ crisis driven issues and difficulties related to their cognitive deficits and dementia. Based on the psychosocial assessment, the incumbent uses professional judgment and advanced practice skills to make a psychosocial diagnosis.

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held

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 probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Valid Unrestricted Social Work License issued by a state to independently practice social work.
  • Transcript with Name of School, Students Name, Date Degree Conferred and Degree Received
  • Resume

  Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed:
  1. Job title
  2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
  SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for Eligibility and/or Time-in-Grade):

  • If you are a current federal employee, you must attach your most recent, non-award SF-50.
  • This SF-50 should not be more than a year old and must show your current position, grade and step. Award SF-50's typically do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted if they do not include Grade and Step.
  • In order to clearly demonstrate you possess the time-in-grade as required by the announcement, additional SF-50s should be attached which clearly demonstrate the minimum time-in-grade requirement.

  Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Valid Unrestricted Social Work License issued by a state to independently practice social work.
  • Transcript with Name of School, Students Name, Date Degree Conferred and Degree Received
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

  Veterans' Preference: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12273315.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  • Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Diane McClure

  Phone

  774-826-4912

  Email

  Diane.McClure@va.gov

  Address

  VA Boston Healthcare System
  940 Belmont Street
  Brockton, MA 02301
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.