The Albany VAMC Social Work Program Coordinator for the General Mental Health Outpatient Services is aligned under the social work services but operationally reports thru the Chief of Mental Health Services. The Program Coordinator works closely with the Chiefs of Psychiatry and Psychology, the lead MH nurse to provide administrative supervision to staff in the OMH service to define productivity targets, assign workload, determine clinic needs and negotiate the needs of these complex services.

Duties

The social work program coordinator serves as Director of General Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) Services and is responsible for administrative and clinical outcomes of OMH services. Gathers and maintains information and use analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of services provided. i.e. Productivity statistics, clinic utilizations data, clinic access data, SAIL metrics, all for multiple locations- using data cubes and other VA data sources- quantitative data to determine quality. This involves the development and maintenance of data bases designed to track the various programs activities as well as monitoring SAIL data and developing action plans to improve performance on various measures. Monitors multiple data points such as SAIL, productivity, access and clinic utilization, CPT coding, Veteran and employee satisfaction and TJC, CARF and OIG compliance. Delegate tasks to appropriate staff, in which case s/he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of these processes. Directly supervises the social workers, RNs, and mental health counselors, including 1 GS 12 social work coordinator, in the General Outpatient Mental Health clinics at the main outpatient center and the 7 CBOCs. Acts as administrative supervisor for psychologists and social workers within the program and performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised including personnel actions, clinical and administrative supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. Assure the staff whom they supervise are aware of, adhere to all current directives of VHA, and meet current JCAHO standards, State licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. Actively works with the Chiefs of Psychiatry and Psychology on performance for their staff, providing input on the staff as he/she oversees a variety of clinical and department meetings that the staff participate in. Coordinates program implementation with multiple clinical services across all campus locations where general mental health services are provided. Provide clinical interventions to the Veteran populations served by the programs. Works collaboratively with internal staff, VISN and VACO leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure service delivery. Provides consultation and briefings to other staff and internal/external stakeholders on the needs of the Veterans served in General Mental Health clinics. Conduct ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing bodies. Subject matter expert to VA facility leadership and staff for related issues and serves as a consultant to other VA professionals and administrators on program specific activities. Specific activities could be such things as management of the OMH consults, the BHIP (behavioral health interdisciplinary teams) teams and their functioning in accordance with national guidance, the psychological and neuropsychological testing service is part of OMH, and this position would work with others to coordinate the services- other activities are the walk-in clinic processes - so the incumbent works on those aspects of the OMH program with a variety of other VA professionals. Identifies unmet needs of the Veterans served and works to address those needs. Works collaboratively with facility, VISN and National staff to develop and implement solutions by participating in local mental health meetings, national, regional and VISN operations calls. Develops and implements policies and procedures for program operations, and prepares reports and statistics for facility, VISN and national use at the behest of the BVAC Care Line Manager. Manages the business operations, accountability for program effectiveness, and modification of service patterns to comply with the delivery of standardized processes found in program specific directives, the Uniform Mental Health Services Package and national roll outs such as My VA Access, consult management directives etc. Supports customer satisfaction, well-being, and service delivery. Develops a data driven, continuous quality improvement program with established goals and outcomes to evaluate and document the program's effectiveness. Recognizes gaps in workforce competencies and ensures supervised staff who require knowledge and skill development receive the training necessary to execute their duties. Certifies staff completion of all required annual and ad hoc trainings through documentation and reporting. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, the Social Work Coordinator shall participate in On call per Albany VAMC policy. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Education: Possess 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. For grades below or at the full performance level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent master's level within 3 years of their appointment as a social worker. Licensure: Possess a full and unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). GS-13 Grade Determination: Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidates 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. AND 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G39. Social Worker Qualification Standard, GS-185. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13.

Education

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 Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Crystal Collier
• Email: [email protected]