Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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 (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 status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. Please note: A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensure. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations. 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). Must pass a background check. Grade Requirements: GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Experience/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 1. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. 2. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. 3. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. 4. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). 5. 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 GS12 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 may be the sole practitioner in this specialty at the facility and typically provide direct patient care services in the program area. 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.] References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the Social Worker or others. ["Program Management\nProvides administrative oversight of program and administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to patients. patients. Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, patient demographics, and patient satisfaction. Develops implements and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to State, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided is based on monitoring activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, State, etc.). Incumbent has knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations that pertain to care and management of people experiencing domestic violence. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of the DV/IPV Program. Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. Work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including within the clinic; in community-based settings; or in transport vehicles. Community-based activities will be made with safety in mind. Clinical\nThe incumbent provides assessment, treatment, and planning for a complex population of patients which reflect the age-specific, psychosocial, and functional needs of the patient (e.g., mental health population).The DV/IPV Coordinator establishes organizational processes for DV/IPV programming. This includes responding to Veterans who may need immediate assistance, maintaining a list of community resources available 24 hours/ 7 days a week. Coordinates referrals for non-Veteran partners, when appropriate, to community resources including legal, law enforcement, domestic-violence specific agencies, shelters, and mental health agencies. Demonstrates knowledge of VA and community resources to meet the complex psychosocial needs of this unique population of patients and to ensure they are referred to relevant community agencies and programs (e.g., shelters, support groups or legal advocacy). Independently deals with crises and effectively uses his/her problem-solving skills to assist the veteran, family and staff. Coordinates safety planning and interventions/treatment following positive screens that accept a referral. May provide assessment and care (i.e., safety planning and assessment of needs). The DV/IPV Coordinator uses protected time for staff and provider trainings. The incumbent provides training to entry level staff and Social Work graduate students and conducts formal workshops and trainings for staff related to the specialty population served. The incumbent is recognized as a Senior Social Worker by colleagues due to expert knowledge of chronic mental illness and case management techniques. The Social Worker will fulfill ethical responsibilities to Veterans, colleagues and VA in accordance with relevant discipline Code of Ethics, VHA Code of Ethics, and local Ethics policies, which includes but is not limited to compliance with all laws and regulations related to confidentiality and release of information, and protecting Veterans' personal identifying information. The social worker evaluates his/her practice on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or organized means. Is active in and accepts responsibility for the development and maintenance of professional standards of treatment. Work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including within the medical center and outpatient clinics. Work areas are often noisy, irregular and unpredictable, and can be stressful at times. This position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle and may include the transport of passengers (employees and/or Veterans) to carry out job functions as needed. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday\nTelework: May be available after Orientation and Training\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Social Worker - Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Coordinator/PD000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Shelly NeeSmith at Shelly.NeeSmith@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]