The Contract Nursing Home (CNH) Social Worker serves as the Program Coordinator and primary clinician for the Contract Community Nursing Home Program. The Contract Community Nursing Home Program multidisciplinary team provides care and regulatory oversight for Veterans placed in the contract nursing homes in Central and Western MA.

Duties

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. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: The Community Nursing Home social worker collaborates with the Nurse to manage the daily operation of this collaborative program. He /She interacts with Veterans, families, guardians, facility staff, Office of Community Care (OCC) and Contracting staff as necessary. The Social Worker is capable of practicing at the advanced level, has specialized knowledge, and at least two years of experience in clinical assessment, interpersonal skills, and communication techniques for all audiences required. The social worker should be licensed or hold certification in a state at the advanced practice level. Clinically and administratively screens referred Veterans for admission to the CNH programs. Provides clinical/administrative intervention and case management for Veterans in the program. Establishes a collaborative treatment plan with the Veteran, family, CNH facility and CNH RN. Coordinates and functions as the liaison for these CNH facility staff and families. Coordinates/oversees treatment with the Contract Community Nursing Home partner. Conducts ongoing assessments on a 30-45 day visit cycle in person and as necessary by phone. Provides disposition planning and all related referrals. Provides hospital-wide education about the program in order to ensure opportunity for access to all Veterans who meet admission criteria. Participates in ongoing program development activities. Organizes and participates in the oversight of the care thru viewing DPH survey results, The Medicare Star system and hands on facility visits. Functions as the COR for the CNH program working with the contracting officials as necessary and the OCC. Participates in the CNH Oversight Committee. Able to work collaboratively in a Team environment. Non-routine duties: Participates in required social work, geriatric administrative meetings, VISN and VACO calls and trainings. Participates on required committees. Organizes the yearly inspection review of the Contract Community Care site with a multidiscilplinary team. Actively maintains program data. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 631-F06380 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Amy Haley , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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/. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 (1) Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or higher that demonstrates the experience and 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. (2) 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Travel may be required to fill patient needs across the Central Western Mass footprint. Hybrid telework may be available at the supervisor's discretion. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120, PART II, APPENDIX G39The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: William Bernard
• Phone: 203 932-5711 X8234
• Email: [email protected]