The Social Services Assistant position functions as an interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other personnel in a whole health partnership by performing a wide range of tasks to assist Veterans and peers of all ages. They possess knowledge of internal & external resources to support the Veteran & connect Veterans to the best options to support their health and well-being. They also lead orientation and subsequent educational trainings.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides information and advocates for Veterans' personal health goals and plan, and shared goals with clinical care team. Functions as the steward of how to navigate the whole health system and orient Veterans new to the program about the services, hours, locations, staff, tools, resources, and other pertinent information. Assists the Veterans to explore core elements of personal health planning, exploration of what matters to the Veteran, self-assessment using the components of health and well-being, identification of goals and potential actions in self-care areas, and identification of support and follow-up to implement a plan. Assists Veterans in this exploration through one-to-one or group sessions. Facilitates group programs aimed at exploring the components of health and well-being, informs Veterans about community and mutual supports and how to use these to support health and well-being goals. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4:00pm Telework: Not eligible for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/PD99907-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

The area of consideration is current, permanent employees of the San Juan VA Medical Center and satellite offices. Language Proficiency: 1. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 2. Must be proficient in spoken Spanish. This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) which is a minimum qualification requirement. To be considered for the position, you must ensure that the experience is reflected in your resume and/or if applicable, transcripts must be uploaded to support education requirement or substitution. Specialized Experience Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: - Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs. - Counselor in a youth summer camp. - Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills. - Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew. - Group activities leader in the Armed Services. - Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility. - Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development. - Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities. - Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. In addition to meeting the Language Proficiency requirements and the IOR, in order to qualify for this position at the GS-6 level, you must possess the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Social Services Assistant - Whole Health Partner position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience includes providing information and advocating for Veterans' personal health goals with clinical care team; orienting Veterans new to the program about the services, hours, locations, staff, tools, resources, and other pertinent information; completing self-assessments using the components of health and well-being, identifying goals and potential actions in self-care areas, and identifying support and follow-up to implement a plan; assisting the veteran in exploring options for participating in individual or group programs; facilitating group programs aimed at exploring the components of health and well-being, informing Veterans about community and mutual supports and how to use these to support health and well-being goals. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed at least one-half year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Physical Requirements: The work will involve using a laptop computer at docking stations in staff cubicles/office space, outpatient treatment rooms, and group/conference rooms. The work will involve walking around to different workspaces within the clinic and thus conveying a patient centered environment where providers go to the patient. The physical demands include presenting oneself in an energetic way to create positive attitudes about health and well-being for Veterans, families, VA employees, and stakeholders. The position is responsible for participating in and facilitating group-based and individual classes for Veteran patients and must be able to move from site to site to facilitate such classes. Some of the work will be performed in a healthcare clinic setting in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Portions of the work will involve going to community organizations on behalf of Veterans for the purpose of connecting Veterans to VA and non-VA services which support Veterans' established health goals and behaviors. Whole Heath Partners who may be located at a main facility campus, at CBOCs, embedded in the community (e.g. vet centers, YMCAs, community centers, etc.) and ensuring the delivery of Group Based Curriculum and individual exploration of goals for health and well-being. Additional Tele-health/CVT delivery of sessions may be required.

Education

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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Hannah Henderson
• Phone: 813-724-0026
• Email: [email protected]