This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

A RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE IS AUTHORIZED The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Program Coordinator maximizes psychosocial quality of life issues to assist Veterans remain in their home or in a less restrictive level of care and keep them out of the hospital as often as possible. The incumbent serves Veterans who tend to have serious, frequent, and severe crises; lack family or adequate community support networks; are poor self-monitors; frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatments; have significant deficits in coping skills; and require continuing psychosocial and medical support. Program Management Oversee program development, quality improvement, communication between internal and external customers, assessment, counseling, recommendations to Veterans and caregivers, case management, and coordination with HCBS interdisciplinary treatment teams. Identify community agencies, establish intake processes and oversight, and maintain a record-keeping system for the program. Have extensive knowledge of geriatrics, community agencies and partnerships, and VA HCBS programs. Screening/Assessment Receive and complete referrals from interdisciplinary teams and VA Primary Care teams on complex, difficult cases using advanced practice skills and expertise. Conduct psychosocial assessments; interview Veterans and family members to establish facts about the Veteran's unique situation, present problems, their causes, and the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health as a part of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and need for services. Review all data and make a clinical assessment, identify needs and strengths using advanced clinical training, insight, and experience to identify viable options. Treatment Planning Develop treatment plans in collaboration with HCBS interdisciplinary team. Use available resources and make initial and continuing decisions regarding use of VA and non-VA services and referrals. Provide independent consultation and make recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment. These decisions are based on advanced practice skills, professional judgment, and expertise regarding the Veteran's self-care capability, family support system, and health care needs. Evaluation and Management Establish a continuing relationship with community agencies, caregiver, Veteran, and family members; evaluate progress towards goals; and adjust the program plan as appropriate. Provide the patient, caregivers, and family members with ongoing supportive counseling to deal with the psychosocial impact of coping with chronic and disabling illnesses, onset of a catastrophic illness, and dying. Assist patient and caregivers in coping and dealing with the loss and grief experienced in chronic illness, terminal illness, and death. Advocacy Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family. Act as an advocate for the VA and need for services in specific geographical areas. Always represent the VA in the community in a positive and professional manner. Crisis Intervention Make rapid assessments and develop crisis management plans. Follow set protocol in the event of an alleged abuse case or medical or psychiatric emergency. Ensure the interdisciplinary team is informed of any concerns with the patient and caregiver. Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment / Relocation Incentive: AUTHORIZED Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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). 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 Master of 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. 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates, GS-12 Program Coordinator Experience and Education. Must have at least 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. Candidates 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39, September 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position require light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pulling (up to 30 minutes); reaching above the shoulder; the use of fingers; walking (up to 1 hour); standing (up to 1 hour); repeated bending; must be able to see a computer screen; and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). If selected for this position, you are encouraged to apply for EDRP within four (4) months of appointment and must meet specific individual eligibility criteria in accordance with VHA Policy 1021. Final award amount and program start date is determined after review of a complete EDRP application, supporting documentation, and final approval by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact the EDRP Coordinators @ [email protected]

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the required degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred, and degree type.

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 Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]