The Bath VAMC is recruiting for a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) for the Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program. The incumbent is responsible for maximizing psychosocial quality of life issues in order to assist veterans to remain in their home or in a less restrictive level of care other than a nursing home and avoid hospitalization as often as possible. The Social Worker manages the daily operation of the program and develops policies and procedures.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major Duties: Program Management Oversees program development, recruitment, and development of the foster homes, recruitment and admission of veteran residents, case management, development of policies and care processes, and coordination with HBPC interdisciplinary treatment teams. Marketing the model of care and reaches out to community groups and agencies to promote the foster care program. Works closely with VHA Public Affairs Office to market the program internally and externally. Serves as a mentor to other VA MFH program coordinators, social workers, and other interested health care providers. Utilizes national Directive, application forms, and inspection tools to screen and assess Caregiver applicants wishing to become a MFH Caregiver which includes approving and disapproving MFH Caregivers in coordination with the approving official Providing oversight during monthly unannounced visits to the MFH and addressing concerns of Veterans and caregivers that supports the MFH model of care. Establish intake processes and oversight responsibilities and maintains a record-keeping system for the program. Providing training to caregivers, students, residents, interns, and fellows from other disciplines regarding the advantages and disadvantages of a medical foster home. Have extensive knowledge of medical center policies and procedures, VHA and VBA regulations. The work may require assisting physically disabled veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects, such as medical records. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common of the client population. Work is also performed outside the medical center campus, where the environment cannot be controlled. Reporting data on monthly reports to the national program office and providing local and VISN leadership. Veteran Screening/Assessment Receives and completes consults from interdisciplinary teams and other social workers on complex, difficult cases, using advanced practice skills and expertise. Incumbent also provides consultation to referral sources and is responsible for development and maintenance of professional standards of practice and educating others regarding such. Interviews and conducts psychosocial assessments; interviews veteran and family members and/or significant others to establish facts about the veteran's unique situation; presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veteran's functioning and health as a part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment; assesses high risk factors, acuity and need for services. Develop an assessment of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment teams, the veteran, family members and significant others, whenever possible. Reviews all data, subjective and objective, and makes a clinical assessment, identifying needs and strengths. Treatment Planning Develops psychosocial treatment plans in collaboration with HBPC interdisciplinary team, including goals for psychosocial clinical treatment. Provides independent consultation and makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. These decisions are based on the social worker's advanced practice skills, professional judgment and expertise regarding the veteran's self-care capability, the family support system, the veteran's health care needs and possible outcomes, including medical foster home placement. Evaluation and Management Establishes a continuing relationship with the foster home caregiver and veteran, and involved family members, evaluating progress towards goals and adjusting the treatment plan as appropriate. Monitors progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders, and shows competent discretion in decision to adjust treatment. Provide the patient and/or caregivers and family members with ongoing supportive counseling. Assist patient/and/or caregivers in coping and dealing with the loss and grief experienced in chronic illness, terminal illness and death. Advocacy Act as an advocate for the VA and need for services in specific geographical areas. At all times the incumbent will represent the VA in the community in a positive and professional manner. Crisis Intervention Makes assessments and develops crisis management plans to maintain the veteran in a medical foster home. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 om Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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/.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: GS-12 Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate 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. 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: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019

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 Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath, NY 14810 US
• Name: Rebekka Fandrey
• Phone: 0000000000
• Email: [email protected]