Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

As the coordinator of the Mental Health Intensive Case Management ( MHICM) program, the incumbent provides coordination of recovery-oriented mental health services to Veterans with severe mental illness.

The incumbent manages the daily operation of the two program, basing operations on developed policies and procedures. He or she may be responsible for preparing reports and statistics and the program's budget and/or various control points assigned to the program.

The Program Coordinator, along with other team members will screen referred Veterans for appropriateness to participate in the MHICM Range program. The Program Coordinator will demonstrate an understanding of the range of treatment skills needed for adult patients and have an understanding of severe mental illness and substance use. The Program Coordinator will support and encourage the patient using a variety of psychosocial and psychological treatment modalities that are tailored to each veteran's particular circumstances and needs. The Program Coordinator oversee the provision of case management services and will coordinate referrals to other programs and actively participate in advocacy within and outside of VAMC.

To facilitate the continuity of a veteran's recovery, the Program Coordinator oversees referrals to needed VA and/or community resources (e.g., community support groups, AA/NA/CA, Supported Employment, State Vocational Rehabilitation, independent or assisted living housing options, residential substance abuse treatment, etc.). . Additionally, the Program Coordinator educates veterans and/or caregivers about the available services and their shared responsibility in accessing such services.

The Program Coordinator is experienced in identification and assessment of crisis situations. Whenever possible the veteran's natural resources will be enlisted to foster independence and develop coping skills. The Program Coordinator will make referrals for inpatient admission and work with staff to insure the admission information is complete.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, typically 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must have a Master's in Social Work.
• Must have Advanced Social Work Licensure.

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).
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state at the Advanced practice social work level. Copy of license or certification must be submitted with your application.
• Physical Requirement: Must pass a pre-employment physical.
• English language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Physical Requirements: The work may require accommodating the needs of physically disabled veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects such as medical records. Normal duties of a clinician are performed (i.e., walking, standing, sitting, working with hands, etc.). Incumbent will be expected to carry items weighing between 15-44 pounds.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Grade Determinations: Senior Social Workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. At least two years should be in an area of specialized social work practice. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination. (Advanced practice licensure examples; WV licensure would be LICSW, Kentucky LCSW, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Advanced knowledge of and mastery of theories and modalities used in the specialized treatment of complex physical and mental illness. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Ability to determine priority for services and provide specialized treatment services.

2. Advanced and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and /or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and /or case management interventions used in treatment of veterans with polytraumatic injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, ect.

3. Advanced Knowledge and expert skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Ability to coordinate the delivery of specialized psychosocial services and programs. Ability to design system changes based on empirical findings.

4. Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in the specialty area, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area of practice and to provide supervision for licensure or for specialty certifications.

5. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the profession, demonstrating innovation in the creation of new models of psychosocial assessment or intervention to identify and address specialized clinical needs. Ability to write policies, procedures, and /or practice guidelines pertaining to the specialty population or specialty treatment program.


References: VA Handbook 5005/50, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Applicant's education and experience will be reviewed by a Professional Standards Board and utilized in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.