The incumbent is a full assistant to the Chief Social Work Service for both administrative and professional practice. The Assistant Chief shares with the Chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of Social Work Service operations.

Duties

While the Chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work programs, the Assistant Chief is responsible for supporting these functions per the direction of the Chief. In the absence of the Social Work Service Chief, the Assistant Chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the Social Work Service. The Assistant Chief provides supervision to the social work programs and staff, members of different grades that may include multiple disciplines; treatment sites are limited and in close proximity to the medical center. Such facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. The Assistant Chief develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and are in compliance with regulations. The Assistant Chief has responsibility for utilization of resources and budget. They make selections, assign personnel, and serve as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Making decisions regarding work problems presented by subordinate social work supervisors. Incumbent collaborates with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work-related changes affecting other programs. The Assistant Chief advises Care Line Managers/Chiefs on problems involving the relationship of social work activities to the various units and programs. Makes selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, hear group grievances and serious employee complaints, review serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving key employees. The individual consults with specialists regarding training needs and decide types of training problems related to the identified problems of the supervised wards/units. Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. Develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. Incumbent is responsible for developing patient education materials for Social Work. Makes recommendations for recruitment of staff and ensures responsibilities for orientation and continuing education of staff. Evaluates and consults on the social work role in various programs. Manages and directs social work activities in the Care Lines including interventions to resolve administrative problems and participates in program evaluations. Briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, in order to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning. Takes appropriate action when indicated and ensures that copies of professional Social Work Service meeting minutes are made available for social workers. Reviews and evaluates Executive Committee minutes in order to develop action plans for issues relevant to Social Work. Incumbent coordinates with Informatics the administration/file building of Vista/CPRS software packages for Social Work. The incumbent oversees development of measurable social work treatment protocols and practice models in order to facilitate the use of statistical processes and analysis tools Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 570-5053 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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). 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 (Assistant Chief), GS-13 Experience and Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. Individual 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: The assistant service chief must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills, must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (a) Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement. (b) Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice. (c) Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings. (d) Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. (e) Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary but does require walking to various locations in the medical center.

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 Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 East Clinton Avenue Fresno, CA 93703 US
• Name: Adam Hunter
• Phone: (612) 713-7523
• Email: [email protected]