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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Near Tuskegee, AL

Qualifications:

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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).
Qualifications: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work.

Licensure: Full, unrestricted license or certification 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).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-13

(1) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidates 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

(a) Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility.

(b) Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive.

(c) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).

(d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.

(e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.

(f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

(g) Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.

(4) Assignment. 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. At this grade level, social worker program coordinators oversee the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty treatment program, such as, but not limited to: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Home-Based Primary Care, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Caregiver Support Program or Transition and Care Management Program, or a combination of programs located at one facility or multiple divisions of a facility. They are responsible for coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services provided, and admission criteria for the program. The program coordinator may or may not have supervisory responsibilities. They have full responsibility for all phases of service delivery for a major specialty program. The program coordinator is responsible for the program's resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points developing the annual budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds. They are administratively responsible for the programming and operations of the program assigned, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. Program coordinators provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They initiate and conduct program or service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and reports, including productivity. Program coordinators 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, Part II, Appendix G39 dated September 10, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The work requires the social worker to be mobile throughout the medical center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderately heavy). The social worker should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment, wheelchairs, and patient stretcher.

Responsibilities:

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

The Program Coordinator demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex quality management systems. He/she is accountable for provision of education, consultation, and communication of findings to medical center management and staff, utilizing management theory in collaboration with other Services. The Program Coordinator must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of the medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community.

Key relationships with staff are needed to (1) assist staff in carrying out the functions and activities expected of them.
(2) contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of the medical center. (3) assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service, accreditation requirements, and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical outpatient programs; and (4) collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross Service and/or discipline lines
and influence organizational mission and health care.

Duties include developing, directing and evaluating an integrated mental health program; performance of management functions through participation in strategic planning and oversight boards, councils, and committees; oversight of professional review processes and providing direction to performance improvement activities/goals.

Other key duties and responsibilities:
- Oversees clinical and administrative performance measures.
- Assists with strategic planning, budget and resource management.
- Assist with developing formal, systematic improvement plans for quality measures, access and medical services delivery.
- Supports liaison with affiliated schools regarding medical teaching issues and provider appointments.
- Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements using programs using data-driven quality assurance processes.
- Assures all medical staff are compliant with applicable Federal and State laws.
- Oversees the management of Veteran complaints and issues.
- Contributes to the development of program goals and objectives to meet VHA Mental Health requirements.
- Participates in performance appraisals of staff and addresses disciplinary issues
- Participates in clinical teaching, supervision.
- Assists in overseeing appropriate training related to MH issues is completed for all staff involved in patient care activities.
- Contributes to the development of policies and procedures consistent with VA Directives.
- Supervises the hiring of professional mental health staff.
- Directly supervises both clinical and administrative personnel as assigned and aligned on current approved Mental Health Organizational Chart.
- Other administrative duties as assigned by the Deputy Associate Chief of Staff or Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54754
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary