The Social Worker in this position serves as a Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) and acts as a communicator, facilitator, and problem solver for patients entering or receiving care within the Lexington VA Health Care System (VAHCS). Activities will cross all lines of authority and responsibility and encompass all medical centers, services within a medical center and throughout the VISN. Participation in related community activities will also be required.

Duties

Assists Post 9/11 M2VA service members/Veterans in understanding their rights and responsibilities. Collaborates with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), community groups, and others in helping and protecting Veterans, their families, and their representatives. Interprets the VISN and medical center's mission, policies, procedures, and available resources and/or services to the patient and presents the patient's problems, opinions and needs to appropriate staff and management. Explains benefits, entitlements, and eligibility for health care to patients and their families. May assist patients and their families with completion of paperwork to obtain certain benefits such as Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Traumatic Service member Group Life Insurance (TSGLI). May travel to Department of Defense (DoD) medical treatment facilities to introduce himself/herself to the injured/ill service member and family. May personally escort the service member to a VA Medical Center when the patient is being transferred or entering the VA system. Provides coordination of care, advisory and technical assistance to Post 9/11 M2VA service members/Veterans seeking medical care. Independently handles a wide range of difficult contacts and complex situations, including eligibility concerns, utilizing Appointment Management in the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to monitor appointment timeliness and ensure care is not lost to follow-up. Identifies elements of clinical or administrative practice that contribute to patient dissatisfaction and provides recommendations to reduce or eliminate justified complaints to the Post 9/11 M2VA Program Manager. Acts to resolve problems, expedite services, or implement necessary corrective measures within established facility policies as appropriate. Reviews and revises Tricare authorization process. Participates in shared medical appointment development process. Maintains effective relations with medical center personnel at all levels. Must be able to communicate with individuals of different educational, environmental, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. May assist the Post 9/11 M2VA Program Manager in responding to congressional inquiries involving patient dissatisfaction as assigned Provides input associated with the TPA activities for the purpose of program evaluation. Participates and assists in planning and executing various outreach events in order to provide education and expedite access to enrollment in VA health care. Maintains relationships with military installation points of contact and community agencies providing services for Post 9/11 service members/Veterans and their families. Develops processes in conjunction with the Health Administrative Service (HAS) Primary Aligned Care Team (PACT) supervisor and Post 9/11 M2VA Program Manager for direct call outreach from the new enrollee list. Maintains program requirements and/or validation criteria for assigned organizations. Acts as a quality assurance specialist, helping to ensure accuracy of patient care data. Must be able to visualize needed improvements in the management process and be capable of originating new and different solutions to problems logically and systematically. Makes recommendations for effective organizational changes. Plays a critical support role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to ensure that both clinical and administrative activities comply with all regulatory requirements especially as they pertain to patient rights and responsibilities. Participates in VISN-wide quarterly reports, assisting in analyzing the data from a VISN perspective for process improvement. Leads and/or participates in process improvement teams under supervision. Provides a channel through which patients can seek solutions to problems, concerns, and unmet needs. Works with health care providers and administrative support staff throughout the medical center in preventing and resolving patient complaints. Manages the New Enrollee and Initial Appointment List Process for daily use. Keeps updated monthly Care Management Tracking and Reporting Application (CMTRA) case management list. Manages Post 9/11 M2VA service member/Veteran appointment list. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30252-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - $20,000 Lump Sum at Beginning of Service Period Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) Must hold 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. Must be currently licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level Grade Determinations: GS-11 Social Worker (Full Performance Level): In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must have completed a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings (VA or non-VA experience) and must possess licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. OR In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirements specified above, to qualify for the GS-11 you must demonstrate all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: A high level of physical energy is required, as the incumbent is expected to meet with many people in many different locations during a workday. The nature of the job requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area away from the work setting.

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Rekha Shastry
• Phone: 360-450-8391
• Email: [email protected]