The Social Worker Coordinator position is in Social Work services at the VA Medical Center, located at the Bedford, Massachussets campus. The incumbent serves as the Social Work Program Manager for multiple programs that fall under Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC).

Duties

Incumbent manages the administrative and clinical aspects of the CNH, PHCBS, VDC, and MFH programs. The incumbent has direct line authority over and is fully accountable for the program administration of the designated programs and for the clinical and support services provided by Social Work to Veterans enrolled in the designated programs. Duties Include but are not limited to: Implements follow-up and ongoing Social Work services for the above referenced programs; Coordinates between VA staff and staff in community agencies, nursing homes, specialized programs and selected interest groups; Plans, develops, implements, monitors and evaluates all program-related operations; Manages the daily operation of the programs and develops policies and procedures for program operation; Monitors accomplishment of established program goals and objectives, periodically evaluates and, when necessary, modifies such goals and objectives; Prepares reports and statistics for Social Work Service, VA Bedford HCS, VISN and national use; Reports to the Social Work Service Chief and communicates regularly with the GEC Service Line Manager on the budget requirements of the programs based on past performance, anticipated workload and production capability of the units; Tracks resource utilization and resource allocation decisions in participation with the Geriatrics Performance Improvement Committee. Coordinates interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments and admission criteria of the programs; Provides alternate Contract Officer Technical Representative (COTR) responsibilities for this program; Works independently with the CNH Coordinator and Contacting Officer as a COTR to initiate or renew contracts; Coordinates with appropriate managers, for hiring, supervision and deployment of the staff assigned to programs under their control; Coordinates interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments and admission criteria of the programs; Serves as a referral and Social Work resource specialist for staff, Veterans, families, VA Central Office, community agencies and outreach efforts; Participates in the management of Social Work Service by support and contributions to the Chief of Social Work Service in areas of quality improvement of the service, strategic planning, hiring and training, analysis of department issues, challenges and problem solving, as well as resource management; and Other duties as assigned. The Incumbent is licensed in Social Work at the advanced practice level. VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Work Schedule: Full-Time, Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available. Telework: Available for Ad-hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 518-F06807 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized .

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. 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision: 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 1. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker. 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 (Program Coordinator) Experience and Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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 supervisory social workers 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, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the facility. Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national directive. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action. Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations. Preferred Experience: In-depth knowledge of the program coordinated, and demonstrated knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for Veteran and Employee Experience Program. Strong verbal and written communication skills. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Bedford Healthcare System 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: Jessenia Plaza
• Phone: (781) 473-6094
• Email: [email protected]