The incumbent serves in a full-time administrative position with full authority and responsibility for providing administrative support to the Chief. The incumbent will participate in overseeing the clinical practice of all the social workers at the facility, with main responsibility for the medical social work services under the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) and Care Management Departments.

Duties

Major duties include: Provides direct supervision, administrative oversight and clinical guidance to the social work supervisors in the GEC, and Care management Departments including care on the inpatient units as needed, outpatient primary care teams, and other outpatient specialty programs, such as the Military to VA (M2VA) and the Caregiver Support Program (CSP). Makes decisions regarding work problems presented by subordinate social work supervisors. Collaborates with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work-related changes affecting other programs. Advises Care Line Managers/Chiefs on problems involving the relationship of social work activities to the various units and programs. Makes selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, hear group grievances and serious employee complaints, review serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving key employees. Develops procedures for, and ensures the implementation and achievement of, the provision of social work services to medical facility patients on inpatient and outpatient programs. Provides, or ensures that professional staff provide advice, assistance, and consultation to community health and welfare agencies and councils and other community groups to enhance the provision of social services to Veteran patients in the community. Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work Service, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. Makes recommendations for recruitment of staff and ensures responsibilities for orientation and continuing education of staff. Assists the Quality Manager /Education Coordinator with selecting and evaluating the results of quality improvement. Briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning. Works with the Chief to develop appropriate budgetary strategies and may present to SAVAHCS leadership. Serves the Medical Center at large in a variety of capacities, such as committee assignments, investigations, personnel matters, and special projects. Coordinates all inspection scheduling, reporting, and follow-up and is expected to complete leadership training to include Green Belt, and a 360 evaluation. Consults with other Services, program managers, or care line managers on issues pertaining to social work ethics, ethical dilemmas in the delivery of care, and ethical issues within the larger organization. Provides consultation to medical center leadership on implementation of special VHA programs in Geriatrics, Specialty Care, Extended Care, Care Coordination, and other service lines as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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

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. Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Hold 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in social work. 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-13 Social Worker (Assistant Chief) Licensure: Must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and able to provide supervision for licensure. GS-13 ASWB Examination: Must have completed and passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) advanced generalist or clinical examination. GS-13 Social Worker (Assistant Chief) Experience: Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice of a small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; responsible for supporting clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work program per the direction of the chief. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. GS-13 Social Worker (Assistant Chief) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the licensure and experience for the GS-13 level, must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement. Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice. Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings. Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements. References: VA Qualification Standards, including the Social Worker Qualification Standard, are located at VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. You must have a valid driver's license and be able to drive a government vehicle.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Cherie Mennel
• Phone: 520-792-1450 X6213
• Email: [email protected]