Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent employees of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, including CBOCs. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties of the Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-Veteran Directed Care Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Manages the daily operation of the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program and provides accountability for program effectiveness and modification of service patterns to enhance customer satisfaction
• Provides administrative, technical, budgetary monitoring and oversight necessary for implementing the CAVHS VDC program coordination and management functions for the VDC program
• Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to State, local, and private agencies. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent will use sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements
• Performs work related to the reviewing, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of the VDC program as well as quality improvement aspects. Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the program
• Creates and distributes required VDC program reports to VISN and VACO programs
• Ensures compliance with the VDC program requirements and is responsible for the completion of appropriate required reports and follow-up to ensure program operation
• Provides educational training for internal and external stakeholders regarding the VDC program
• Monitors program activities and develops pertinent program metrics. Analyzes program information to identify and interpret program trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements
• Develops a data driven continuous quality improvement program with established goals and outcomes to evaluate and document the program's effectiveness
• Establishes collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, and other disciplines to foster their involvement in the VDC program
• Researches community resources (local, state, and national) that are available to provide continuity of care and to enhance the quality of life of the veteran and disseminates information resources throughout the VISN
• Develops program policy, standard operating and guidelines and procedures to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) and other accrediting bodies and regulatory standards as needed
• Prepares and executes VDC authorizations with all appropriate information (i.e., auth number and coverage period, assessment fees, authorized budget and avg monthly budget)
• Establishes (at a minimum) monthly meets with the VDC providers to discuss Veteran contact, Authorizations, Veteran case management, Veteran spending, Veteran 180-day and reauthorization review and authorized element change. Reviews monthly documentation of VDC provider contacts with Veterans
• Ensures provider reimbursement in a timely and accurate manner

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service)
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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)
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: Available, per supervisor discretion
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 598-00594-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
3. Education. VHA Social Worker must 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.
4. 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/.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12
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/Ceritification: 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: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
2. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
3. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
4. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
5. Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Note: KSAs must be clearly reflected in your resume under description of duties to be found qualified for this position/grade level.

Preferred Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in program coordination and/or 3-4 years of experience working in a medical social work setting
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in planning, budget management and data analysis
• Prior experience partnering with and providing guidance and support to community based organizations
• Prior experience working collaboratively with a specialized population and multi-disciplinary professionals to meet program and agency goals
• Proficient computer skills- Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other software programs; includes the utilization of other technology devices
• Be flexible in handling change, able to adequately handle multiple demands, and adaptable to new situations with revived ideas or innovative approaches

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this 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.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once and sometimes stressful situations.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.