The Chalmers P. Wylie VA Medical Center is seeking a well-qualified Social Worker in the Geriatric and Extended Care Service.

Duties

Duties Include: The incumbent plans, coordinates, implements, monitors, and evaluates the NIC programs. Incumbent is responsible for receiving referrals for those programs, assessing appropriateness of referrals, evaluating veterans' needs, and determining program eligibility in accordance with VA policies and directives. The incumbent monitors provision of services by community agencies to veterans for quality and appropriateness through yearly inspections and visits to ADHCs per established guidelines and handles issues as they arise. Incumbent is responsible for receiving and responding to Hospice consults within established guidelines, making appropriate referrals to community agencies, and tracking and monitoring the provision of care. Incumbent reassesses continued eligibility and appropriateness for hospice in accordance with VA and hospice policies and directives. Incumbent recertifies care at established intervals and stays in contact with veteran and agency regarding changes in veteran's status when VA is payer source. Incumbent authorizes changes in level of care provided. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining and monitoring provider agreements with community hospice agencies. Incumbent manages all aspects of agreements with facilities and agencies, formal or informal, to include contracts, provider agreements, or other types of agreements. The incumbent functions as a professional representative of his/her program and social work to community agencies, local hospitals, Ombudsman, VBA, colleagues, students, other agencies, and the public. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of the NIC program. Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the programs. Incumbent takes responsibility for any performance measures related to the NIC programs, including developing plans to meet those measures, leading teams, and tracking data. Responsible for developing and implementing policies, procedures, and quality measures for the NIC programs. Recruits and recommends approval of agencies homes that could become VA providers. The incumbent provides case management for veterans in the NIC programs, presenting a wide range of social, emotional, and environmental problems. Incumbent will provide services according to the assessment of veteran's needs. Difficult professional services to clients with serious problems are not an incidental part of the workload but are regularly performed on a continuing basis. The incumbent makes decisions regarding individual caseload priorities and workload activities in collaboration with treatment teams and based on the patient's needs, goals, and objectives of the team and the VA Ambulatory Care Center. The incumbent makes recommendations to the treatment team based on the Social Work assessment, focusing on providing the veteran the needed internal and external resources/supports in the least restrictive environment. Incumbent is able to independently work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems utilizing individual, group and family counseling and therapy skills. Incumbent makes referrals to other community or VA services as appropriate. Incumbent makes monthly visits to nursing facilities to monitor provision of care. Incumbent has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology. Incumbent offers consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of complicated geriatric patients, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Incumbent demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff and students in area of geriatrics and to provide supervision for licensure. Incumbent interfaces with community agencies, veterans, and families, to coordinate care, mediate conflicts, and address care needs. Incumbent advocates on behalf of the veteran to ensure that services and benefits are obtained in a timely manner and in keeping with the VA's goals for excellence in customer service. The incumbent effectively utilizes electronic resources required for providing services and completing reports. These include, but are not limited to, CPRS, VISTA, Microsoft Word, workload reporting, and program referral procedures. Incumbent documents work appropriately and in a timely manner in the medical record. The incumbent is required to attend Ambulatory Care Center administrative and professional meetings as directed. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m- 4:30 p.m Telework: 6 Days per bi-weekly pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Remote: This is not a remote position

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). b. 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. c. 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 SW Licensure Summary by State. To qualify for the GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and demonstrated 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. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 Physical Requirements: The position requires a valid government driver's license, knowledge of highway laws/safety, and familiarity with the geographic areas of jurisdiction. The incumbent must be able to operate a motor vehicle and perform local travel as needed. The incumbent may be asked to perform physical tasks requiring standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 25 lbs.

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address Chalmers P Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 US
• Name: Semhar Berhe
• Phone: 708-953-0479
• Email: [email protected]