This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. The Acute/Specialty SW Discharge Coordinator is assigned to Acute/Medicine and will provide high quality Medical Social Work care and services to assigned Veteran patients hospitalized at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Services are performed on inpatient medicine, inpatient mental health, and/or surgery areas to include coverage as needed.

Duties

The Acute/Specialty Discharge Coordinator will make referrals and coordinate complicated discharges to all levels of care to include home, RCF/ALF, SNF, Acute rehab, LTACH, and inpatient MH facilities. The Acute/Specialty Discharge Coordinator will provide coverage as needed on Acute and inpatient mental health by acting as an integral member of the Acute and Inpatient MH Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), actively participating in patient assessment, treatment planning, case management, and provision of a full range of treatment and services to all assigned Veteran patients. The Acute/Specialty Discharge Coordinator understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family. When appropriate and feasible, will educate and encourage the Veteran/family to advocate on own behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. Experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs. Social worker has access to multiple resource directories in addition to previously developed resources to meet the demands of a crisis. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the mental health clinic at the VA Medical Center. Ensures coverage in all program component areas and demonstrates a cooperative team spirit in providing backup coverage as needed/assigned to prevent disruption of patient care activities. Documents all patient care assessments, interventions, and treatment progress in CPRS in a timely and professional manner consistent with Joint Commission, SWS guidelines, and facility policies/procedures. Will capture all workload through completion of electronic patient encounters and will complete clinical reminders as necessary. The social worker may serve as a field instructor or preceptor and may therefore supervise social work graduate-level interns and provide a successful training experience in the field of social work. Works with students to develop training needs and goals and assess student's progress and performance. Responsible to stay abreast of current theory and treatment modalities by reading professional journals, attending conferences, clinic seminars and teleconferences, and materials given out by staff and psychiatry. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 10:30am - 7:00pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 544-55056F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.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

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. 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. 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. 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 http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/ English Language Proficiency.Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-12 Social Worker Program Coordinator. Candidates must meet the ALL of the following requirements to qualify at the GS-12 grade level. Experience/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 social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (Copy of current licensure required.) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (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. 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). Preferred Experience: Discharge planning experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Trena O. Melvin
• Phone: (470) 840-6199
• Email: [email protected]