This position is responsible for the professional and administrative management of the Contract Nursing Home (CNH) Program for the Central Iowa VA catchment area. The CNH Coordinator serves as the team lead, implementing the CNH program per local, VISN, and National guidance.
Basic Requirements: Social Worker - Basic Requirements Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education and/or Experience Combination - You must possess 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. License or Certification - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Exception - For assignments at the GS-9 level, VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Grandfather Provision. A Social Worker employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (9/10/2019) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees 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 journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. 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 who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) Quals GS-0185-12 Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Experience Requirement: You must possess 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. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills; maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity. In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Program coordination and management, medical and community social work practice background. Familiarity with contract nursing home (CNH) program benefits and operations. Ability to review and resolve concerns of Veteran patients in community settings, ability to plan, organize and direct others. Understanding of VA benefits, coordination of resources between community partners and VA programs, and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with Veterans, family members, and stakeholders. Familiarity with CNH authorizations, nursing home care plans, CAPs and Medicare facility rating systems. Ability to prepare Issue Briefs and utilize critical thinking to provide effective program coordination, including ability to identify task priorities, program gaps and needs, and to respond accordingly. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Social Worker Qualification Standard: https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0185-SocialWorker.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Administratively, the Program Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and operational oversight of the program. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures that guide the program's activities, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards. The coordinator also manages the program's budget, monitors expenditures, and ensures that resources are used efficiently. Additionally, the role involves preparing reports and maintaining data on the program's performance, which are essential for continuous quality improvement and for demonstrating the program's impact to stakeholders. By using data-driven insights, the coordinator can make informed decisions that enhance the program's effectiveness and sustainability. The Program Coordinator works across various departments and with external agencies to develop and maintain partnerships that enhance the program's effectiveness. This collaborative approach ensures that the program can adapt to the evolving needs of the community it serves. The coordinator's ability to navigate complex systems, advocate for clients, and establish meaningful connections with external partners is critical to the overall success of the program. In this capacity, the Program Coordinator not only manages the day-to-day operations but also contributes to the long-term strategic vision and impact of the program. The position involves overseeing the delivery of specialized services designed to meet the needs of a particular population of veterans, their families, or caregivers. The coordinator is responsible for independently conducting thorough assessments and implementing evidence-based interventions that address the unique challenges faced by these groups. By tailoring services to the specific needs of the target population, the Program Coordinator ensures that the individuals served receive the most appropriate and effective support. Additionally, the role involves educating clients, caregivers, and staff about relevant issues, thereby empowering them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate their circumstances more effectively. Assists with discharge planning, including discharge from the CNH facility, the CNH program, and/or transfers to other CNH facilities, both within and outside of the Central Iowa catchment area, and coordinates with CNH Coordinators at other sites regarding Veteran CNH needs that may cross service areas. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm Telework: Ad Hoc telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized