This position serves as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, 'Plus' (LGBTQ+) Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Office and performs duties associated with ensuring culturally competent, patient centered, and effective care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and all other gender identities and sexual orientations of Veterans within the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System (WPBVAHCS).

Duties

The Social Worker Program Coordinator will provide services at the main medical center, outlying clinics, and in the community through outreach events. The duties and responsibilities are carried throughout the Health Care System including all clinical and other patient care areas. They Support the implementation of national and VISN-level policies related to LGBTQ+ Veteran health within the healthcare system. When the LGBTQ+ VCC becomes aware of an issue, he/she investigates, takes corrective action and, as appropriate, offers recommendations to facility leadership for further action. The Social Worker Program Coordinator serves as a point-person, source of information, Veteran advocate, and problem solver for LGBTQ+ Veteran-related health care issues within the healthcare system. They maintain regular communication with the National LGBTQ+ Program (10P4Y) and VISN regarding VA policies and procedures, including participating in offered trainings and conference calls. Additional duties include but not limited to: Provides training and offers consultation to facilitate staff members' regarding cultural and clinical competencies (i.e., making providers aware of the clinical services that, per policy/directives, can and cannot be provided to LGBTQ+ Veterans) as appropriate to their role working with LGBTQ+ Veterans. Utilizes appropriate chain of reporting, coordinates with the EEO LGBTQ+ Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) and works collaboratively to solve LGBTQ+ Veteran employee concerns. Engages in and monitors mechanisms to provide information to LGBTQ+ Veterans and directs LGBTQ+ Veterans to the appropriate services for care. Ensures that LGBTQ+ Veterans, facility providers, employees, contractors, and administration are aware of the LGBTQ+ VCC role and contact information and are familiar with local services and policies. Participates in LGBTQ+ related outreach and community-based activities. Helping facilities celebrate LGBTQ+ special observances (e.g., LGBTQ+ pride month, LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, Transgender Awareness Month). Communicates with key stakeholders, including local community-based organizations and service providers with local affinity group resources. Coordinates activities, on a minimum quarterly basis, with the LGBTQ+ VCC VISN Lead to develop strategic plans and program activities for local program problem solving. Places LGBTQ+ VCC program materials and safety signals throughout the facility (e.g., LGBTQ+ posters, handouts, fact sheets), including main campuses and community clinics. Makes outreach information available to inform Veterans of LGBTQ+ specific services and programs. Responsible for establishing partnerships with facility departments, programs, committees, and workgroups such as the Disruptive Behavior Committee, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, Workplace Violence Prevention Committee, Women Veteran Program, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, etc. to respond to compliments, complaints, inquiries, and recommendation from various stakeholders, including staff, patients, caregivers, congressional inquiries, White House Hotlines, and other sources about LGBTQ+ care within the healthcare system. Assists with the facility's response to the annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) survey and participates in annual trainings on current VA policies/practices for LGBTQ+ Veterans. Utilizes conflict resolution management and related techniques to handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers and staff constructively and appropriately in addressing and deescalating tense or sensitive situations. Assists frontline staff in resolving issues that occur at the point of service (POS) while also addressing more complex complaints that are not easily resolved. Works independently to resolve the most difficult and complex complaints, expedite services, and implement necessary corrective measures within established facility policies. Reviews appropriate documentation and records and discusses with personnel any practice that appears to violate patient rights which causes unnecessary discomfort or embarrassment to patients, their families/caregivers, or the healthcare facility, and reports such findings with recommendations for improvement to the facility Director and/or appropriate management staff. Collaborates and coordinates with the EEO Office to contribute toward the development of the MD-715 Annual EEO Program Status Report which is utilized to identify triggers and barriers which may impair LGBTQ+ Veterans engagement in care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with rotating tours of duty as needed. Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:Social Worker (LGBTQ+ Veterans Care Coordinator), FS# 41059F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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/. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) candidates must have the following: 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. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position: 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. Preferred Experience: Experience in ensuring culturally competent, patient centered, and effective care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and all other gender identifies and sexual orientations. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work requires use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing aid permitted; clear speech; emotional stability; moderate duty.

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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Kathryn Miller
• Phone: 407-793-6273
• Email: [email protected]