Videos

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
The primary responsibilities of the Social Worker - Geriatrics/Patient Care Program Coordinator
serves for the outpatient Geriatrics Inter professional Consult Clinic - Patient Priorities Care Program, which is located within the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service Line. The outpatient Geriatrics Inter professional Consult Clinic - Patient Priorities Care Program serves veterans over the age of 65 who are having changes in daily functioning (instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living) due to new or known/evolving cognitive or physical impairments. This specialty care program is designed to provide complex geriatrics care that is patient-centered, evidence-based, and aligned with the Age Friendly Health Systems initiative. The GS-12 program coordinator leads Patient Priorities Care conversations with veterans and their caregivers as well as leading overall program coordination.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• The incumbent provides case management and care coordination that is proactive, that is in accordance with geriatrics best practices, and that maximizes available resources and supports appropriate for the veteran and, as relevant, the veteran's caregiver(s).
• The incumbent delivers evidence-based psychological and environmental interventions for managing the care of geriatrics patients.
• The incumbent ensures appropriate documentation is in place to support veterans along the spectrum of decision-making assistance desired and/or needed and ensures that this is adequately reflected and updated in the medical record.
• the incumbent follows crisis intervention techniques in making critical and timely assessments and developing a crisis intervention care plan.
• In the event of a medical, behavioral, or psychiatric emergency, the incumbent aids with stress management, stress reduction, problem-solving, and direction to appropriate emergent care services.
• Develops short-term and long-term problem-focused solutions to remedy the crisis.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a resource file of VA and community resources and social service programs. Resources may include patient-facing and caregiver-facing information, websites, professional contacts, and evidence-based literature related to geriatrics care (including dementia care) drawn from programs at the local, state, and national levels.
• Participates in ongoing geriatrics asset mapping of existing medical center services, programs, and providers, as well as community organizations and resources.
• Seeks outreach opportunities, such as trainings with VA staff or other teaching opportunities, to update colleagues on VA and community resources and services.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30
Telework: Work performed anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space only when authorized by Supervisor.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F04748
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

NOTIFICATIONS:

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.
• This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

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 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.

The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Social Worker in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Education Requirement - You 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). 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree. Transcripts Required

Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Social Worker at the advanced practice level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Copy of Licensure Required.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following experience to qualify for this GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator) position:

Grade Determinations:
Experience GS-12 Grade Level: 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. 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, dated 9/10/2019.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
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).

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.

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.

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

Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed:
1. Job title
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé. Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.

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.