The Social Worker (Network Program Coordinator/Whole Health) position is full-time at 40 hours per week. This position falls under VISN 1, and is located at one of the following campuses: West Roxbury, MA; Bedford, MA; Brockton, MA; Jamaica Plains, MA; Manchester, NH; West Haven, CT; Northampton, MA; Providence, RI; Togus, ME; West Haven, CT; White River Junction, VT

Duties

The Social Worker (Network Program Coordinator/Whole Health) will lead the VISN's effort in line with the national goal of implementing Whole Health System concepts throughout the network and is expected to provide leadership in the planning, coordination, implementation, dissemination, and sustainment of change to a patient-centered culture as defined by VHA throughout the VISN. The position will additionally function within in a matrix of specialty areas and work closely with OPCC&CT, VISN and facility leadership, members of network and facility committees, VISN and facility staff, Veterans and families, and others to oversee activities related to implementation and oversight of the WHS implementation at each medical center, community based outpatient clinic. The position will also participate in the development of educational models, tools, and other resources to support implementation of WHS in the field. The major duties include but are not limited to: Conducts projects and performs assignments as a Whole Health Network Coordinator for VISN 1. Establishes and chairs the VISN 1 Whole Health Committee. Assembles a diverse planning team of interdisciplinary health professionals and representatives from various services throughout the VISN. Conducts studies and special projects to implement Whole health programs and improve the efficiency of Whole Health care operations throughout the VISN. Creates VISN WHS implementation deployment strategy using VHA's WHS model. Conducts analyses of all aspects of current or projected Whole Health care programs throughout the VISN for effectiveness in achieving planned goals and objectives and meeting the needs of Veterans and general public. Collaborates and Builds Coalitions. Operates collaboratively and interdependently with all facility, VISN and VACO WH points of contact. Sponsors via regular participation in monthly national OPCC&CT Network Sponsors' calls which will include providing intermittent presentations/updates on local VISN accomplishments, issues, and VISN/facility best practices. Provides Patient Centered Care and WH Expertise and Consultation to VISN Executive leadership and facilities within the VISN structure. Conducts management surveys, audits, special projects, etc. and provides advisory services to operating or management officials. Reviews submissions from Medical Centers to Network office to assure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with VHA policies. Prepares analytical briefings and reports for Network management to use in the decision making process based on a wide variety of special studies, using Network financial and clinical data to do cost/benefit and program analysis. Provides Patient Centered and Whole Health Field Services: On-Site and Virtual. Maintains VISN Budget. Uses existing VHA OPCC & CT tools to help sites create budget projections for implementation of whole health at their sites and assists in tracking budget needs/growth over time. Develop and formulate budget requests for coming fiscal year. Promotes and Models Inclusion of the Voice of the Veteran and Staff in Decision-Making. Prepares Reports. Prepares and coordinates reports timely and serves as the point of contact for VISN strategies and initiatives within the assigned area. Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative and/or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals, measures, and objectives, and prepares program status reports for review at all levels. Data Management and Analysis. Maximizes use of existing data systems ensure they are supporting program efforts. Develops WH Education and Other Resources. Ensures educational materials are disseminated throughout the VISN. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Compressed/Flexible:Compressed or Flexible work schedule may be available Telework: May be Authorized Functional Statement #: F05730 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. All applicants must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). b. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). c. 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. d. 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/. GRADE DETERMINATION: Social Worker (Program Manager) GS-14 (1) Experience/Education. Candidates must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. 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. (2) Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. 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 which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; 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. Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development. Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. References: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items.

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 VISN 1 VA New England Healthcare System 200 Springs Rd Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: Thomas Whiddon
• Email: [email protected]