Social Worker (Program Coordinator) position serves as the Discharge Transition Care Coordinator (DTCC) for the Mental Health Service in the Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Services include implementing discharge triage assessment processes for all inpatients admitted to a medical floor.

Duties

Major Duties for the position include (but are not limited to): In conjunction with the interdisciplinary medical team, screens and assesses the Veteran's psychosocial needs and barriers to facilitate his or her access to appropriate VA and community resources. Initiates discussions related to Goals of Care and life-sustaining treatment, end of life planning/withdrawal from treatments and transplantation. Coordinates the gathering of information vital to the process of setting appropriate treatment goals and time frames for achieving those goals through collaborative relationships with the Veteran, his or her family/caregiver and other VA programs and VA staff. Utilizes advanced skills in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used with the chronically ill dependent patient population. Determines realistic goals with the Veteran, including such factors as: a) the appropriate type of intervention and/or level of care, b) the setting conducive to providing such intervention or care, c) the need for caregiver support to allow for the least restrictive level of care, d) transportation options/barriers, e) treatment adherence and f) the steps to obtaining resources (VA or community) that make the achievement of goals possible. Provides case management for patients receiving VA authorized community-based services. Assisting both Veteran and community partner providers with submission and tracking of all Authorization for payment (new placements or services, and any discharge or transient related requests), facilitating assistance with pharmacy issues, and travel benefits (if eligible). Maintaining an accurate list of all Veteran's receiving inpatient care and working collaboratively with the inpatient interdisciplinary team as well as any other VA teams to effectively coordinate care. Assigns teams to complete referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., home health care, assisted living facilities, extended care facilities/nursing homes, services available through area agencies on aging, community support groups, hospice care, community-based extended care). Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the inpatient medical/surgery area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Serves as a subject matter expert on the services and resources available to Veterans in the community, monitors patterns of resource availability, identifying unmet needs and the resultant impact on the Veteran's psychosocial functioning. Communicate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., Social Work Executive, the Social Work Practice Council, other VA programs, community partners) to encourage the development of new and innovative resources. Consults with colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in inpatient areas, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. The incumbent demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the special area of practice. Advocate for Veteran's to ensure that they have access to all needed care and resources within VA and in the community. Mitigate any medical or psychiatric crises arising in presenting Veterans, within the scope of social work practice, and participate in developing crisis management and safety plans to minimize the event of future crises. Provide education about VA and community resources, VA benefits and Advance Directives/Living, completing the advanced directive or living will as requested Provide the Veteran and his or her family/caregivers with time-limited, supportive counseling. With the intent of assisting the Veteran and the family/caregiver in coping with the psychosocial impact of chronic and disabling illnesses, the onset of catastrophic illness, end-of-life and bereavement issues, organ donation, and evaluate the need for more specialized mental health care and refer to appropriate VA or community resources. Develop revise and update standard operating procedures as needed. Maintain electronic medical records using appropriate formats and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, timely and professional manner to promote relevant and effective communication with other VA employees about the Veteran's care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-0068-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Candidates must 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/Education. Candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, 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. Applicant's must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA): Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Inpatient Discharge Planning References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part 2; Appendix G-39; Social Worker Qualification Standard, updated September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Theresa Morehart
• Phone: 501-522-4386
• Email: [email protected]