Clarification from the agency

First consideration will be given to facility employees, second consideration will be given to all other VA employees. External applicants can apply to announcement number CBSX-12238931-23-CLM.

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Major duties include:

• Supervises (both clinically and administratively) a multidisciplinary group of employees to include nurses, peer supports, social workers and provides administrative, technical, consultative, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit.
• Provided leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs and opportunities for assigned staff.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures specific to Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System and ensures compliance with local facility, VISN, the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS), Care Management & Social Work Service (SWS), VA Central Office (VACO), Homeless Program office (HPO), Quality Safety and Value directives and handbooks, as well as The Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and other accrediting bodies and regulatory standards as needed.
• Monitors program growth and assesses need for additional resources, space, staffing as appropriate.
• Addresses and resolves issues in conjunction with departments to include but not limited to, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Reasonable Accommodations etc. in all functions ranging from hiring actions, grievances, serious employee complaints, review serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals) and participate in fact finding.
• Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards including development of practice guidelines, competencies, manuals, and guides to professional practice using data, research, and evidence-based practice.
• Oversees the fiscal matters (including aspects of budgeting including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures and strategic planning for the Homeless program) in collaboration with the Chief/Assistant Chief of Social Work Service.
• Ensures all reports, action items, White House letters, Congressional reports, Issue Briefs, and any other correspondence is submitted in a timely and in professional written form.
• Evaluates, analyzes, utilizes, and maintains data, research, statistical | compilations, and other facility/national metrics to identify trends, needs, barriers.
• Participates in process improvement projects in the hospital and will be expected to complete the Green Belt process improvement within two years of the assignment to the Homeless Manager Program at SAVAHCS.
• Provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, social determinants of health screenings, Advance Directives, Goals of Care, case management, crisis intervention, risk assessments, safety planning, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, psychoeducation, discharge, and other services as appropriate.
• Serves the Medical Center and social work profession in a variety of capacities, such as committee, unit councils, workgroups, investigations, personnel matters, and or special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals and VA Mission.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment driving physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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).
• Licensure. Full, unrestricted license or certification by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• Education. Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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 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 master's degree in social work.
• 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. II-G39-4 September 10, 2019 VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39
  • All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  • Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, 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 journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  • 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 initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  • If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
  • NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS 0185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection. If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-0185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Experience working with veteran homeless population, experience in supervisory and program management, and experience with organizational business practice.

Grade Determinations:
Social Worker (Program Manager), GS-14

• Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Individual 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 manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  • Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
  • Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
  • Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
  • Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action
  • Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
  • Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development.
  • Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 - Social Worker Qualification Standard. Additional information regarding the assignments at the GS-14 Social Worker (Program Manager) can be found in the appendix referenced above.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel and walking outside when visiting Veterans in the community. When outside depending on the time of year, it is possible for it to be very warm. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential. As needed, the incumbent drives GSA vehicles safely off station to various locations, such as other VA locations, community agencies, patient homes, etc. Transportation of other staff and/or patients may be needed occasionally. You must have a valid driver's license and be able to drive a government vehicle.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.