Social Worker (Service Chief) - Mental Health & Behavioral Science Service Line Manager

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 18 - 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 2 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals until the position is filled. This is a multidisciplinary announcement. If you are a Physician (Psychiatrist) - apply at CBSX-13068536-26-EY. If you are a Psychologist - apply at CBSX-13068538-26-JS.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C.
• 7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000
• To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part)
• 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 4 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/
• Loss of Licensure or Certification
• Once licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment
• Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• 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 (Service Chief) GS-14 Experience/Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level
• The chief social work service must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration - demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment
• 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
• The chief social worker must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level - and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections - which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed - performance evaluation - selection of staff - and recommendations of awards - advancements - and when appropriate - disciplinary actions.(b) Skill in applying legal - ethical - and professional standards to social work practice.(c) Skill in developing - maintaining - and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections.(d) Ability to ensure compliance with social work practice - policy - and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.(e) Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership - managers - and other staff on social work qualification standards - practice - competency - productivity - and continuing education requirements.(f) Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements
• 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 the GS-14 grade level - size - scope - significance and impact are greater than the GS-13 grade level
• The chief social worker responsibility includes management of large - complex - social work services within the organization
• The chief social worker is the highest level professional position at the facility with responsibility for the professional practice of all facility social workers and provision of social work services
• The chief social worker provides supervision to social work service - with multiple sections or programs across the health care delivery system as well as an assistant chief and supervisors
• Social work service includes staff members of different grades - as well as multiple disciplines - various treatment sites and at locations close to and distant from the medical center
• The chief social worker has full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations including clinical practice - program management - education - human resource management and supervision of the service
• Preferred Experience: Experience providing leadership and oversight for all professional and administrative operations within a Mental Health or Behavioral Health service line - including supervision of multidisciplinary clinical and administrative staff
• Demonstrated success in managing human and material resources across a complex mental health continuum - including outpatient - specialty - and integrated care programs
• Experience developing - implementing - and evaluating policies - procedures - and clinical care standards to ensure high-quality - safe - and efficient care delivery
• Experience conducting ongoing surveillance and evaluation of clinical performance - including quality of care - appropriateness of treatment - adherence to standards - and performance improvement activities
• Skill in leading quality control programs - risk management activities - infection control oversight - and compliance with facility-wide performance measures
• Demonstrated ability to improve patient access - flow - timeliness - and satisfaction through data-driven process improvement
• Experience in advanced clinic access management - including monitoring supply and demand - clinic utilization - backlog reduction - no-show reduction strategies - and appointment optimization
• Expertise in consult management processes - including consult review - business rule implementation - coordination with internal/external services - and development of Care Coordination Agreements
• Prior experience recommending and evaluating criteria for clinical privileges - and monitoring clinical competence of licensed independent practitioners
• Proven ability to oversee professional performance reviews - including FPPE/OPPE - peer review - and performance improvement data integration
• Experience coordinating interdepartmental and intradepartmental services to ensure integrated - Veteran-centered mental health care delivery across settings (e.g. - PC - ED - acute care - community care)
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with system partners (e.g. - PCMM - MCA DSS - Group Practice Management - Community Care) to optimize operations and resource utilization
• Experience planning - developing - and leading new or expanded clinical programs - including Telehealth - evidence-based practice implementation - and enhancement of specialty/complexity of care offerings
• Ability to analyze financial - workflow - and operational impacts of proposed policies or initiatives and provide data-supported recommendations
• Experience supervising interdisciplinary staff - resolving personnel issues - conducting evaluations - managing performance - and overseeing continuing education.
  
  

Duties

• 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection
• This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actions
• Applicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty
• What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration
• Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager
• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offer
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructions
• After meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start date
• Onboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service
• If selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing Duties include but are not limited to: Manages all professional and administrative activities within MH&BS including selection - orientation - and continuing education of staff
• Develops - implements - and evaluates policies - procedures - and clinical care standards to ensure high-quality - safe - and efficient care delivery
• Conducts ongoing surveillance and evaluation of clinical performance - including quality of care - appropriateness of treatment - adherence to standards - and performance improvement activities
• Leads quality control programs - risk management activities - infection control oversight - and compliance with facility-wide performance measures
• Improves patient access - flow - timeliness - and satisfaction through data-driven process improvement
• Oversees professional performance reviews - including FPPE/OPPE - peer review - and performance improvement data integration
• Coordinates interdepartmental and intradepartmental services to ensure integrated - Veteran-centered mental health care delivery across settings (e.g. - PC - ED - acute care - community care)
• Plans - develops - and leads new or expanded clinical programs - including Telehealth - evidence-based practice implementation - and enhancement of specialty/complexity of care offerings
• Analyzes financial - workflow - and operational impacts of proposed policies or initiatives and provide data-supported recommendations
• Supervises interdisciplinary staff - resolving personnel issues - conducting evaluations - managing performance - and overseeing continuing education
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000