The Chief of Social Work acts as a professional practice consultant and is the contact point for the Veterans Integrated Services Network and Office of Social Work Service, Veterans Health Administration, Central Office. The Chief of Social Work provides facility-level continuity regarding social work practice issues and participates in the executive management functions in all areas, including inpatient and outpatient programs in Coatesville and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
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. English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education: 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. 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). 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 (Service Chief), GS-0185-14 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-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: responsibility for management of small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; provides supervision to social work service staff members of different grade or experience levels; supervision may include multiple disciplines, treatment sites that are limited and in close proximity to the medical facility, and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility; full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations including clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision. Experience must demonstrate possession of supervisory and management skills as well as advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, and recommendations of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions. Skill in applying legal, ethical, and professional standards to social work practice. Skill in developing, maintaining, and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections. Ability to ensure compliance with 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. Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements. Preferred Experience: A). 5 years of supervisor experience B). 4 years of experience in a specialty C). 3 years of experience in leadership D). Experience working with vulnerable Veteran population E). Knowledge and/or experience with homeless programs Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. 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
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Chief, Social Work serves as a consultant to subordinates, peers and administration. The incumbent designates service priorities and objectives, supervises, and evaluates Social Workers and other staff assigned, and is responsible for supervising and evaluating the performance of the assigned staff. Responsible for the social work practice of other social workers outside of the social work department Develops the mission and vision for social work service in accordance with the facility mission and vision. Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to patients. Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction. Implements and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. Directly supervises program administrators and lead supervisors in Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC), and Homeless/Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) programs. Performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised. Participates in recruiting qualified Social Workers including interviewing, selection, and orientation of Social Workers. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to State, local, and private agencies, and universities. Conducts program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, Department of Defense, state, etc.). Determines priority needs for social work services and recommends adjustments to staffing levels accordingly. Participates in the development and coordination of medical center plan for patient care and is involved as a consultant in decisions where Social Work practice is impacted. Serves as a vital professional influence and resource to local leadership in their compliance with standards defined by accrediting organizations, such as The Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation (JCAHO) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards applicable to Social Work. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Social Worker (Service Chief)/000000