The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) is dedicated to providing access to quality mental health care and preventing suicide among our Nation's Veterans.
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/. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. Failure to Obtain License or Certification. In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time (3 years) will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment. Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License. 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). Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience and Education. 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. 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 social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Documentation is required if part of your state's requirements for providing supervision for licensure is beyond your licensure only (example: certification of continuing education credits). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (document with written demonstration of KSAs must be included with application, see required documents section): 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: 3 plus years of experience working in Mental Health with persons with serious mental illness. Experience collaborating with a wide variety of internal and external customers and process improvement. 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-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.
VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of this position are, but not limited to: Promoting and sustaining the integration of recovery principles and recovery-oriented services into mental health provided at all points of service throughout the health care system, including consultation and collaboration with inpatient and outpatient settings. Functions as a champion and advocate for the recovery model and also serves as a recovery ombudsman to the MH Director, program managers, and staff on recovery and implementation of recovery oriented services. Participates actively in all VA medical facility workgroups addressing inpatient mental health units, environment of care, and transformation to ensure recovery-oriented practices. Independently conducts thorough assessments and implementing evidence-based interventions that address the unique challenges faced by these groups. Educating clients, caregivers, and staff about relevant issues, thereby empowering them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate their circumstances more effectively. Designing new initiatives, refining existing programs, and identifying gaps in service that need to be addressed. Community outreach is another essential component of the role, as it involves establishing and maintaining relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. Preparing reports and maintaining data on the program's performance. Advanced knowledge of the services and benefits available from both public and private sector resources, the Program Coordinator works across various departments and with external agencies to develop and maintain partnerships that enhance the program's effectiveness. Navigate complex systems, advocate for clients, and establish meaningful connections with external partners is critical to the overall success of the program. 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. Proficiency in utilizing computer software applications for documentation, data management, and tracking is essential, particularly within the framework of the Veterans Health Administration. Maintains data and statistical reports to comply with JCAHO, VA, and Medical Center policies and procedures. Exceptional interpersonal skills are vital for establishing and maintaining effective relationships with patients, families, and a spectrum of community agencies, communicating fluently in diverse cultural and professional settings. An in-depth knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures is indispensable, encompassing acute, chronic, and traumatic conditions, as well as an understanding of common medications and their associated effects and side effects. May provide clinical supervision to social work students or social workers pursuing advance practice licensure, sharing their knowledge and expertise. Will provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and/or continuing education programs for assigned social work staff. They serve on committees, work groups, and/or task forces at the facility, VISN and national level, or in the community as deemed appropriate by the Social Work Executive or designee. Additionally, they will provide consultation and education to medical residents on social work practice and VA policy and procedure. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm 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 AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000