Social Worker (Program Coordinator - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program)

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

Grade Determinations:

• 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

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
• (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation - negotiation - and monitoring
• (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines for the program
• (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• (d) Skill in organizing work - setting priorities - meeting multiple deadlines - and evaluating assigned program area(s)
• (e) Ability to provide training - orientation - and guidance within clinical practice

Preferred Experience

• Experience with outreaching patients
• Ability to use data and reports to inform best practices and guide continuous improvement
• Experience managing multiple demands efficiently
• Experience working with interprofessional teams
• Experience with models of care utilized in VA (e.g. - measurement-based - evidence-based - person-centered - recovery-oriented)
• Appreciation for process improvement and program development frameworks (e.g. - LEAN)

Physical Requirements

• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Duties

Contacts Veterans assigned to the BHIP team through scheduled and unscheduled encounters - including asynchronous care (e.g. - contacting patients based on risk - inactivity - or other factors that suggest care coordination is needed)

Oversees BHIP team communication - including TEAMs chat within and between the team and other stakeholders involved in patient care and administration

Makes sure BHIP team dashboards and reports are updated to ensure timely completion of required screenings and follow-up care (e.g. - suicide prevention - post discharge visits)

Leads BHIP huddle/breakout meetings including adherence to guidelines and expectations for the MH-OPAC (e.g. - huddle report review - case conference)

Engages in communication with Veterans to facilitate care coordination (e.g. - no show and clinic cancellation - services offered - resolution of concerns with escalation to or in consultation with MH-OPAC leadership as needed)

Makes sure BHIP team panel activity and inactivity are monitored to ensure appropriate episodes of care and transitions in line with active treatment plans

Manages within BHIP team consults - and other consult-related actions as assigned

Ensures adherence to MH-OPAC processes and procedures - including emerging guidance by the MH-OPAC Program Manager

Uses advanced clinical training - insight - and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options

Assesses high risk factors - including suicidal and homicidal ideation - as well as - acute needs for VHA or community-based services

Completes clinical and psychosocial assessments and screenings identifying the Veterans' needs - strengths - abilities - and preferences

Serves as a liaison to touchpoints across the facility (e.g. - emergency department - screening areas - primary care mental health integration) to promote best practices in mental health access - engagement - transition - referral - and utilization of a stepped care model

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Subject to change based on the needs of the facility

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Duties for this position include - but are not limited to:
• Contacts Veterans assigned to the BHIP team through scheduled and unscheduled encounters - including asynchronous care (e.g. - contacting patients based on risk - inactivity - or other factors that suggest care coordination is needed)
• Oversees BHIP team communication - including TEAMs chat within and between the team and other stakeholders involved in patient care and administration
• Makes sure BHIP team dashboards and reports are updated to ensure timely completion of required screenings and follow-up care (e.g. - suicide prevention - post discharge visits)
• Leads BHIP huddle/breakout meetings including adherence to guidelines and expectations for the MH-OPAC (e.g. - huddle report review - case conference)
• Engages in communication with Veterans to facilitate care coordination (e.g. - no show and clinic cancellation - services offered - resolution of concerns with escalation to or in consultation with MH-OPAC leadership as needed)
• Makes sure BHIP team panel activity and inactivity are monitored to ensure appropriate episodes of care and transitions in line with active treatment plans
• Manages within BHIP team consults - and other consult-related actions as assigned
• Ensures adherence to MH-OPAC processes and procedures - including emerging guidance by the MH-OPAC Program Manager
• Uses advanced clinical training - insight - and experience to interpret data and to identify viable treatment options
• Assesses high risk factors - including suicidal and homicidal ideation - as well as - acute needs for VHA or community-based services
• Completes clinical and psychosocial assessments and screenings identifying the Veterans' needs - strengths - abilities - and preferences
• Serves as a liaison to touchpoints across the facility (e.g. - emergency department - screening areas - primary care mental health integration) to promote best practices in mental health access - engagement - transition - referral - and utilization of a stepped care model