Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HCHV

This position is eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.
• 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/.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

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 (KSA). In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
• 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 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.

Duty Location: 401 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm or determine by the hiring manager/supervisor
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, sitting, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Light lifting, under 15 pounds. Strenuous physical activity is not required although this position is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of the daily activities.
Travel Demand: This position is required to travel up to 75% of work.
Driver License: This position is required to possess a Current and Active California driver license and maintain the license in a good standing

References: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)

Responsibilities:

The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Outreach Social Work Coordinator located in the SFVA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) catchment area identifies and engages Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or marginally housed and who underutilize VA services.

The job functions for this position are listed below but not limited to as follows:

• Provide Veterans with a range of social work services, including assessment and referrals, clinical treatment, short-term case management, advocacy, service coordination, and linkage with VA and community resources. This is accomplished in concert with members of the CBOC interdisciplinary team and community providers. The incumbent also participates in outreach activities that are not directly related to homeless Veterans but to Veterans in general to provide information related to services and benefits available at SFVAHCS.
• Work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for "on-the-street" or marginally housed Veterans. The goal is to increase stability in Veterans' lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent and healthy lifestyles. The incumbent will facilitate VA involvement in the CoC's Coordinated Entry System (CES) and will be responsible for assisting the SFVAHCS meet federal CES guidelines, as described by regulations and guidance published by HUD.
• Coordinate efforts with local planning and support currently provided by VA, HUD, and USICH technical assistance initiatives designed to support local planning and the creation/sustainment of a CES. This involvement requires that the Coordinator is both aware and involved in current CoC plans to meet these federal requirements.
• Develop a bio/psycho/social assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the Veteran, the interdisciplinary treatment team, available family members and significant others. The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran's strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of treatment and needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness, including OIF/OEF, geriatric, and gender-specific Veterans related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age-associated mental health, substance use issues and physical conditions. The incumbent must understand stressors related to homelessness and the diversity of Veterans.
• Document the assessment with appropriate ROIs and will complete a HOMES assessment. As needed, the incumbent re-assesses needs to meet the goals established in the initial intake plan. Time frames and requirements for assessments are completed as outlined by Joint Commission, CARF, and local medical center requirements/policies.
• Completes an initial assessment and Individualized Service Plan (ISP). The ISP includes Veteran strengths, short & long-terms goals with measurable/S.M.A.R.T. objectives, referral plans, and specific history of (mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial, family, sexual, community/culture, legal, and housing).
• Provide case management services to Veterans as deemed appropriate to ensure follow- through and Veteran needs are being met. Case management services will vary depending upon Veteran needs and services are to be tailored to meet individual needs.
• Responsible for outreach to homeless Veterans and can work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for "street homeless" or marginally housed Veterans. The goal is to increase stability in Veterans' lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent, healthy, productive lifestyles. The social worker will provide direct linkage from community services to SFVAHCS homeless program services through regular and consistent outreach and communication with community providers. This includes, but is not limited to, direct linkage to VA mental health services for those Veterans who are at high risk for suicide.
• Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran. When it is appropriate and feasible, the incumbent will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on their behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
• Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, advance directives/living wills and will refer Veterans to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.
• Provides the Veterans with ongoing supportive counseling. The purpose of such counseling is to assist the Veteran in coping with homelessness and understanding barriers to housing, with a goal of being housed and gainfully employed, when possible. In addition, the social worker participates in leading various interdisciplinary treatment groups at the CBOC, including, but not limited to: Sobriety Support and Harm Reduction groups, Advance Directive Education groups, and other groups that promote general healthy welfare for the Veterans.

Salary : $126,164 - $200,000