This Social Worker (Program Coordinator) position is located within the Volunteer Support Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the Patient Advocate/Program Coordinator with the responsibility for all aspects of the Patient Advocate Program at VA Providence Healthcare System. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Major duties include, but are not limited to: Works with Veterans, families, members of Congress, local governmental agencies and representatives, the community and Medical Center staff to resolve patient complaints; Independently assesses multi-factorial medical, emotional and psychosocial needs as they relate to or contribute to the patient complaint, creating a case management plan as needed; Presents the patient's problems, opinions and needs to appropriate staff and management; Assists patients in understanding their rights and responsibilities as Veterans receiving VA health care services; Represents the Director in safeguarding and ensuring the ethical, statutory and constitutional rights of patients; Identifies existing and potential problem areas and suggests solutions or alternatives to existing procedures which contribute to those problems; Responsible for maintaining computer data base to track problem areas and trends within the Medical Center (Patient Advocate Tracking System-Revised (PATS-R) and maintains records on all patient inquiries; Reports results, corrective measures taken, and any other appropriate data to the Director's Staff Meeting and Medical Center committees; Makes recommendations for changes in Medical Center policies, procedures and operations to effect improvement in services to Veterans; Identifies the elements of clinical or administrative practice which contribute to or creates an atmosphere for Veteran dissatisfaction; Possesses comprehensive knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act as they pertain to Veteran information; Provides training and liaise with the various Service Line Patient Advocates to ensure complaints/concerns are handled at the lowest possible level; Serves as a liaison between the VA Providence Healthcare System, Veterans and their families, staff and the community regarding patients' rights and advocacy; Serves as a liaison with the other VISN 1 VA facilities, the public, Congressional and local governmental offices and Veterans' Service Organizations in matters pertaining to Veteran relations; Promotes an atmosphere of team building, cooperation and cohesiveness among all constituencies; Reports on corrective measures taken to the patient or the patient's Next Of Kin and/or significant other; Maintains a balance between advocacy for the Veteran constituency and proper allegiance to the Medical Center; Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday. 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: As supervisor's discretion (Ad-Hoc) Functional Statement #: 650-F2025 Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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. Licensure. Must hold a full, current, unrestricted licensure as a Social Worker in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Education. Posses a Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to meeting the above basic requirements, applicants must possess the below grade requirements to be found qualified for this position. Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. AND, 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the above grade requirements, applicants must clearly demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. REFERENCE: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is typically performed at the Providence VA Medical Center campus but may be performed in a setting away from the medical center where the environment cannot be controlled, such as meetings/conferences, CBOCs, and at other community agencies. The incumbent must be flexible since to meet program requirements it may be necessary to work irregular tours of duty and to travel, including overnight details as necessary. A variety of interactions with internal and external customers to include but not limited to walking, sitting, standing, and bending. Work may include carrying of light items such as papers, and books. Work may be stressful at times and require conflict resolution capacity related to mental and emotional demands. When in the office, the work is mostly sedentary. Some work (specifically classroom teaching) requires walking, standing and the set-up of media equipment. The work generally does not require any special physical effort.

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 VA Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Hannah Farrar
• Phone: 401-273-7100 X13489
• Email: [email protected]