The Chief of Behavioral Health effectively contributes to strategic objectives by developing, implementing, & coordinating programs, in collaboration with executive leadership & through collaboration with other leaders across VISN 17 sites. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive & Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. This position is also being recruited for as a Senior Psychologist (Service Chief) and Physician, Psychiatrist.

Duties

The Social Worker (Program Manager) Chief of Behavioral Health (BH) effectively leads the organization toward achieving stated VHA and VISN program goals, in support of the VHA MH Strategic Plan and in concert with VHA and VISN Strategic and Performance Measurement plans. In support thereof, the incumbent is responsible for the development, coordination, review, and evaluation of BH programs, policies and procedures and assumes the authority to ensure implementation, as well as to maintain and improve BH operations. Administrative (Supervisory) Responsibilities (70%): Decisions are made with very wide latitude and independent judgment. Participates as chair of BH Executive Council in making decisions about BH services. Applies knowledge of state of the art, evidence-based practice of mental health treatments and organized treatment programs including a familiarity with all of the disciplines that provide mental health treatment services. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and business acumen in order to effectively and efficiently communicate timely information/reports to a broad variety of audiences including the highest levels of management. Has supervisory responsibility for subordinates (Deputy Chief of BH/Psychology Executive, and BH Program Managers) and is responsible for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of BH services. Evaluates partnerships for other services including but not limited to Primary Care, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Whole Health, and medical services that have an embedded BH provider or may refer to BH services, using relevant VA statutes and regulations & takes action to improve identified deficiencies. Responsible for all administrative actions associated with BH including tracking and evaluating staff's workload and productivity, action Items related to BH, creating, implementing and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures related to all aspects of BH services, documentation of clinical services and workload, performance improvement tasks, compliance with VA performance measures, meeting all appropriate strategic goals, compliance with requirements for follow up of Veterans who miss clinical appointments, ensuring utilization of clinical resources, etc. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external customers. Other Administrative Responsibilities (10%) Attends National, VISN, and medical center meetings as appropriate. Accepts when able additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet the needs and goals of AMAVAHCS in serving Veterans. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for these specific programs. Participates in activities that obtain customer satisfaction feedback from clients (internal and external to the VA) and work to enhance services as needed. Clinical (20%) Provides direct care and Social Work services, and triage/case management, as assigned. Provides clinical consultation to various disciplines and levels of training, as time permits. Provides a full range clinical services using the most appropriate case management and therapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs care consultations, screenings, and evaluations. Provides Advanced Practice level interventions, including expert clinical psychosocial and case management services in a specialized area of practice to Veterans who tend to have serious and severe crises, may lack any familial and community support, may be poor self-monitors, may frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or may have major deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychological support. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: 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 the CSWE website http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 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 on the OHRM website http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Manager) GS-14 Experience/Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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 supervisory social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. It is recommended to provide a written narrative format of the subparagraphs below: (a) Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. (c) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. (d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development. (h) 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. Preferred Experience: Advanced Healthcare/ Business Management training or degree Supervisory VA Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, dated September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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.

Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website: https://cswe.org/Accreditation to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work.

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

Note: 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.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]