Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes various treatment modalities of individual and group work, casework, community organization, and community outreach activities
• Carefully coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies
• Makes sure clinical care is monitored and assessed for compliance with the programs receiving per diem as described in the grant recipient's original grant application
• Intervenes, when necessary, to facilitate compliance or corrective actions and, when appropriate, develops, facilitates, and monitors plans of correction
• Completes consults and monitors the homeless team's pager as an active part of the coverage team
• Shares coverage duties with the HCHV Coordinator for Deshon Place (half GPD/half HUD-VASH located on Butler VAMC property)
• Manages oversight of the GPD funded programs as defined in the GPD rules, regulations, and directives
• Coordinates and participates in program site inspections in accordance with the GPD Program rules, regulations, and directives
• Records inspection deficiencies and establishes methods to monitor corrective actions
• Seeks guidance from the National GPD office as needed
• Engages in coordination with community agencies, organizations, and groups to learn of services or resources available for homeless Veterans as well as provides current information on services and benefits available in the VA for Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program participants
• Attends VISN and GPD conference calls and attends training offered by the GPD National Program Office
• Participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with caseloads and identifying the need for and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences
• Maintains accurate records of relevant training; participates in continuing education in accordance with VA policies and state licensure
• Evaluates his/her own practice through professional peer review, case conferences and other organizational means
• Participates in committee assignments
• Assists with the Homeless Hotline Calls, CPRS Consults and clinical reminders for homeless veterans as well as various community events

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness

Skilled administrator of structured interviews and assessments

Advanced clinical and interpersonal skills in eliciting client information

Advanced knowledge in community-based program design, implementation, and monitoring

Knowledge of program oversight procedures, program evaluation, and program corrective methods

Advanced knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services with short-term and long-term case management and care coordination methods and techniques

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Grandfathering Provision: 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.

Experience/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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes