The Social Worker Program Coordinator directs the PCMHI program and New Patient Access Team (NPAT) in Behavioral Health Services. The Social Worker Program Coordinator reports directly to the Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health (Deputy ACOS-BH), and ultimately to the Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health (ACOS-BH).

Duties

The Social Worker Program Manager is fully responsible for management and oversight of assigned program(s). S/he provides leadership for programs in an effective manner, demonstrates a high level of initiative and independence in carrying out the administrative and patient care functions in accordance with the EPVAHCS and Veterans Health Administration policies and procedures. This covers multiple sites of care in the El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico catchment areas. The Social Worker Program Manager is fully responsible for developing all aspects of assigned program(s) that will enable Veterans to access case management and comprehensive medical and behavioral health care. The incumbent provides leadership to direct reports assigned to program in the application of clinical practice, case management, organizational processes and/or systems improving outcomes at the agency/service level, utilizing the clinical knowledge and skills required to provide behavioral health care services to Veterans. Community relationships are an integral part of the Social Worker Program Manager responsibilities. The Social Worker Program Manager ensures continuity of patient care across all programs, the development and implementation of the plan of care. S/he facilitates the evaluation and treatment of Veterans who tend to have frequent and severe crises, lack family or an adequate community support network, poor at self-monitoring, frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or have significant deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychosocial support. The purpose of the work is to apply professional clinical skill, and extensive knowledge and understanding of program management to the process of rehabilitation and integration of Veterans. The work affects the medical, psychosocial, social, economic, and spiritual well-being of every Veteran treated (in this geographically large catchment area), their families, the overall program and service delivery, and medical center community relations. The incumbent will facilitate the interpretation and application of VA guidelines to ensure standards maintained promote the health, safety, welfare, and happiness of Veterans. This position requires coordination of annual inspections to ensure compliance with all VA guidelines; ensures optimal qualitative/quantitative clinical and program services through multidisciplinary/collaboration; program development; effective utilization of VA/community resources; networking; facility development providing specialized services for sub-populations; patient advocacy; ensures the compliance of the assigned program(s) with all existing VA policies and regulations, JCAHO standards, CARF standards, medical center policies and procedures, and other relevant requirements. In consultation with the Deputy ACOS and ACOS of Behavioral Health Service the incumbent makes recommendations for filling clinical and other program positions and further prepares assigned staff to form a functioning interdisciplinary team; provides training and consultation on a regular basis; coordinates and conducts student training within assigned program; coordinates staff development and in-service training for the assigned staff. The incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating and evaluating all aspects of assigned program by maintaining a program-specific database and answering suspenses that ensure the provision of quality care and continuity of service. S/He represents Behavioral Health Service both within the VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the community at large; collaborates with community agencies and other VA programs to develop and implement services for s Veterans; oversees, supervises and implements programs pertaining to assigned program to ensure compliance with VA policy, procedures and standards of care. The Social Worker Program Manager is responsible for the supervision of all professional, para-professional and administrative staff in assigned program(s), including but not limited to advanced practice social workers, RN'S, psychologists, a psychiatrist, a peer specialist and support staff. S/he will conduct team conferences on a weekly basis to promote professional development, administrative training and coordination of services. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Eligible (AdHoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program Manager Relocation Incentive: A Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. 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. English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Independent Practice 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/. Advanced Practice Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series at the GS-12 level or higher in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice 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). Preferred Experience: Experience working in behavioral health setting. Experience managing program, especially as pertains to supervising personnel. Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for the GS-13 grade level. GS-13: Experience: 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. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. (b) Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. (c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers. (d) Ability to delegate authority, manage priorities, coordinate work, and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. (e) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems, develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. (f) Ability to provide staff training and development. References: VA Handbook 5005/120 Part II Appendix G39, September 10, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The position will light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, walking (6 hours), standing (6 hours), and repeated bending (.25 hours).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to submit the required transcript may result in non-referral of your application if we cannot confirm your education is accredited.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Must 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.

If your school was accredited by CSWE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]