This position is assigned to manage, directly and oversee the Geriatrics Social Work Programs which include HHA, ADHD, VDC, CHN, HBPC, CLC, Respite and Hospice Care and to work with and steps into manage the duties of the Chief of Social Work Service when the Chief is not available. Provides oversight to inpatient and outpatient services and treatment for patients in geriatric and extended care, palliative care, hospice care, home-based primary care, community care.
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). 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. 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 advanced practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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 References: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Travel: Up to 25% to visit different VA sites to check-in with staff, visit facilities, etc.
Supports the Chief of Social Work in the activities involved in running the Social Work Service and maintaining a leadership role in the professional standards for all medical center social workers. Will oversee the SW Geriatrics Programs as well as be the Chief's alternate and back-up. Makes decisions regarding work problems presented by the supervisors and to collaborate with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work related changes affecting other programs. This position is required to advise service line managers on problems involving the relationship of social work activities to the various units and programs. Participates the recruitment tasks, grievances and disciplinary cases. Consults with training needs and decides types of training problems. Assists in a variety of areas to assure that staff has the optimal resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Develops procedures for, and ensures the implementation and achievement of, the provision of social work services to medical facility patients all Geriatric and SW programs. Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. Develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. Develops patient education materials for the Geriatrics program Social Work. Oversees the process of staff recruitment, development of functional statements and positions descriptions, and the smooth operation of the Social Work Professional Standards Board. Ensures there is a system in place for orientation and continuing education of staff. Evaluates and consults on the social work role in various programs, including social work activities in the service lines. May consult on interventions to resolve administrative problems and may participate in program evaluations. Assumes responsibility for administrative functions of Social Work Service, such as the annual Service budget submission and management of funds; management of the Patient Welfare Fund; travel and education funding requests; fulfillment of Social Work responsibilities with the Compensation and Pension Unit; development and maintenance of a variety of contracts, i.e., for temporary registry staffing, emergency housing, case management, and other needs; linkage with the VISN Contracting Office for COR training, preparation of contract documents, assessment of quality, and certifying invoices; and tracking the special funding for homeless programs. Briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, in order to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning. Monitors the adequacy of staffing as well as productivity, assisting the Chief in preparing justifications for additional positions or re-allocation of existing positions as needed. Coordinates with Informatics the administration/file-building of Vista/CPRS software packages for Social Work. Oversees development of measurable social work treatment protocols and practice models in order to facilitate the use of statistical processes and analysis tools. Compiles and disseminates social work quality management findings, actions, and outcomes to social workers, medical center staff, and leadership personnel. Assists supervisors in program development and policies and procedures, and data collection for each program area. Assists in the preparation for accreditation agencies. Assures all necessary metrics designed by VACO, VISN, the Medical Center or within the service are tracked and appropriately analyzed. Responsible for the preparation of reports, as assigned by the Chief, Medical Center Director, or Central Office and assists with all data tracking and analysis as needed from VACO, VISN, medical center and programs. Serves the Medical Center at large in a variety of capacities. Having consultative authority, the SWS Program Manager serves as a vital professional influence and resource to local Leadership in their compliance with standards defined by accrediting organizations, such as the Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards applicable to Social Work. Oversees academic affiliations for social work practice, including the coordination of Social Work Field Practice placements at the Medical Center. Provides consultation to medical center leadership on implementation and ongoing operations of special VHA programs. Provides direct Supervision to one or more social workers and/or programs, as needed in the overall organization of the Social Work Service.