Health and Wellness Coach

The Health and Wellness Coach provides services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values. They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life.

This position also supports Veterans participating in the Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) through Whole Health coaching and non-pharmacological pain management strategies.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Health and Wellness Coach candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education and/or Experience.
  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
  • Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR
  • Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
• Certification.
  • List of certifications. Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
  • Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches.
    • Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c). These eligibility requirements for certification include:
      • Completion of an NBHWC Approved Training Program (https://nbhwc.org/find-an-approved-training-program/#!directory/ord=rnd) AND
      • Completion of 50 health and wellness coaching sessions AND
      • Completion of an associate's degree (or higher) or 4,000 hours of work experience
    • Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Health and Wellness Coach at or above the full performance level or other designated occupation with the appropriate training and expertise.
    • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained.
    • Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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:

Health and Wellness Coach, GS-07.

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques.
  • Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices.
  • Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities.
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally.

Health and Wellness Coach, GS-09.

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-07. Experience includes but is not limited to: knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques; facilitating development of personalized health plans (including person-centered customized goals, action steps and interventions developed by the individual) focused on behavioral interventions based on current scientific knowledge and research; promoting positive lifestyle choices (habits and behaviors); communicating in writing through a variety of modalities; effectively communicating verbally/non-verbally; conducting interventions using one-on-one, couple or group modalities in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face, telephone, virtual, etc.).
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being.
  • Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, couple or group modalities.
  • Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
  • Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a patient's action-oriented goals.
  • Ability to identify resources internal and external to the organization that are necessary for achieving patient overall health and well-being goals.
  • Ability to use information technology (IT) equipment and various/emerging technologies to carry out work responsibilities.
  • Ability to document patient information using appropriate systems.

Preferred Experience: Experience with health coaching for pain conditions, and/or experience with other integrative approaches for managing pain conditions (e.g. mindfulness, guided imagery, yoga/Tai Chi).

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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Responsibilities:

Health and Wellness Coaches provide support to positively influence the relationship between lifestyle and health outcomes.

Duties of the Health and Wellness coach may include, but are not limited to:

• Provides health coaching to individuals or groups in outpatient and inpatient settings using multiple formats (face-to-face, telephone, virtual, etc.) to increase/promote a positive lifestyle (habits and behaviors).
• Supports Veterans in fostering internal strengths and external resources to develop self-directed strategies for making personalized, sustainable, healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively manage chronic disease.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary clinical and non-clinical staff and teams throughout the VA health care system on a Veteran-centered process to facilitate and empower Veterans to develop and achieve self-determining goals related to health and well-being that align with what matters most or their mission, aspiration, or purpose.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing, coaching theories, and coaching techniques to assist clients in accomplishing their action steps and goals.
• Within the coaching process, addresses appropriate social and structural determinants of health.
• Provides education around health and wellness coaching services, evidence, and research.
• Follow national Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation guidance and VHA policy relevant to health and wellness coaching.
• Utilizes a coaching process model that aligns with NBHWC standards.
• Ensures Veterans are aware of what to expect when engaging in coaching.
• Connects Veterans with wellbeing services when they are in service of the Veteran's self-identified wellness goals.
• Documents coaching encounters in alignment with local and national guidance.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on needs of the facility)
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99325-S; 99326-S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $58,193