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.

Duties

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12261956-23-AB The duties of the Social Worker - Program Coordinator include, but are not limited to: Tobacco Treatment Specialist (Clinical): Conducts a full range of intake assessments, measures, and evidence-based treatments. Serves as VHSO's Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Lead Clinician with accompanying duties as outlined by VHA Directive 1056. Serves as the VA medical facility point of contact for communications to and from Tobacco & Health: Policy and Programs regarding training and educational programs, quality improvement opportunities, policy, and clinical issues. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to both inpatient/outpatient Veterans referred to tobacco cessation treatment, including motivational interviewing, targeted behavioral interventions, and other evidence-based treatments for tobacco-related concerns. Ensures brief counseling and cessation medications are available to all patients interested in quitting tobacco, regardless of whether or not the patient is willing to engage in behavioral interventions. Participates in tracking Veteran care as they move through the cessation process. The Social Worker will also be involved in measuring outcomes by compiling cessation data and using the tobacco dashboard. Offers specialized treatment to Veterans who have more challenges to quitting (e.g., Veterans with mental health problems, substance use disorders, or low motivation) and provides care for a chronic relapsing condition that often requires repeated interventions and multiple attempts to quit. Promotes the use of adjunctive VHA tobacco cessation services (e.g., Quitline, text messaging program, StayQuit app). Coordinates nationally mandated annual event observances at VHSO such as the Great American Smoke Out, Great American Spit Out, etc. Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator (Administrative): Serves as a point person and subject matter expert to facilitate appropriate health care access and services for Veterans who experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) as outlined in VHA Directive 1115(1). Supports the implementation of national and VISN-level policies related to MST at the facility and associated CBOCs. Ensures that Veterans seen for health care are screened for experiences of MST, appropriate services are available, MST-related care is provided at no cost, and all episodes of MST-related care are documented properly. Ensures staff receive education and training appropriate to their role, and provide outreach information is visibly displayed in the facility and through appropriate public information systems. Reviews the MST Dashboard and facility's MST Comprehensive Data Summaries to ensure screening, referral, and treatment are provided at expected levels. Acts as an advocate for Veteran MST survivors and their interactions with relevant VHA clinics and offices, intervening when necessary to ensure that MST policies are correctly implemented. Plans, directs, and conducts periodic outreach effort to Veterans, both within the facility and in partnership with community allies. Directs and provides staff education to improve MST-related care and service. Develops facility-wide partnerships to facilitate problem-solving about systemic issues, coordinates patient care, collaborates on education and outreach initiatives, and information gathering for program evaluation. Communicates with members of the network and national-level MST infrastructure in order to remain informed about notable policies, trends, events, and to share information on local circumstances and practices. Overall Social Worker Program Coordinator: Offers flexible and accommodating services to Veterans e.g., individual, group, telehealth, and proactive telephonic counseling. Functions as a licensed independent provider of mental health services and screen, assess, provide clinical care, and follow-up treatment at an advanced practice level. Utilizes outcome evaluations to further treatment, clinical program development, complementary services, and design system changes based on empirical findings. Possess a general understanding of medication effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Meets the needs of Veterans while supporting the VA mission. This includes consistently communicating and treating Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff, in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00785-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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 a social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Comfortable in providing Mental Health Care through Telehealth modalities. Participation as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team providing a full range of Mental Health Service. Skilled at multi-tasking, and working under the pressure of multiple responsibilities with deadlines. Excellent customer service skills (internal and external customers). References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard dated September 10, 2019. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingerers; Both hands required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and emotional stability; and able to hear whisper. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: April Bookout
• Phone: 315-800-7297
• Email: [email protected]