The incumbent is the supervisor for the General Mental Health (GMH) Team (Central, North, or South Region) within the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL). GMH is a comprehensive team which delivers high quality and timely care to Veterans in our catchment area suffering from a broad spectrum of mental health problems. The GMH is part of the continuum of care within the MHSL.
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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 (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 status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. Please note: A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Licensure. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites. English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations. 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). Must pass a background check. Grade Requirements: GS-13 Supervisory Social Worker Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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 supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines 2. Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. 3. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers. 4. Ability to delegate authority, manage priorities, coordinate work, and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. 5. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems, develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. 6. Ability to provide staff training and development. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory social workers at the GS-13 grade level typically supervise professional and non-professional staff. They are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care/product line, or across multiple sites, (e.g., multi-division facilities and CBOCs). Incumbent may also provide direct clinical services.] The full performance level of a Social Worker is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.
**THIS POSITION IS ONLY BEING OFFERED TO CURRENT ATLANTA VA FACILITY EMPLOYEES** FUNCTIONS: Program Management Responsibilities (60%) The incumbent supervises a group of employees (approximately fifteen non-prescribers) performing work at the GS-13 levels and below, including advanced practice social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and peer support specialists. The incumbent provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. The incumbent performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised. Incumbent will have established guidelines and performance expectations for staff, clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. The supervisor provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Incumbent assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations. Incumbent supervises employees to accomplish the work of the organization unit. Exercises supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised. The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, etc.). Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement (10%) Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. The Supervisory Social Worker leads the performance improvement process through development of programmatic monitors to achieve service line, facility and VHA measures. He/she oversees periodic performance reviews of the GMH Program to ensure adequate self-assessment in accordance with Joint Commission standards. He/she consults with quality management in developing actions plans and pertinent programmatic procedures. He/she is responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. A substantial portion of the workload directed by this position is carried out at one or more locations that are physically removed from the main unit under conditions that make day-to-day supervision difficult to administer. Academic/Training/Teaching (10%) The incumbent is a co-lead with the team Medical Director which encompasses the planning and administering of daily team meetings, integrating the recovery model principles into operations, and stimulating team involvement towards problem solving. The team leader also coordinates interdisciplinary care rounds to facilitate a regular schedule for staffing of veterans and to foster comprehensive recovery/treatment planning through pertinent services such as PRRC and supported employment. The team leader collaborates with the Local Recovery Coordinator to maximize recovery-oriented services through care planning, staff training, and family education. The team leader serves as a point of contact during daily operations to triage patient issues and direct appropriate intervention. The team leader may be a field instructor for social work interns. Clinical Responsibilities (20%) As a full clinical member of the General Mental Health CBOC and/or clinic Teams, provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate to the general mental health care setting, especially in the areas of general psychosocial evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and focused assessments. Provides a full range of interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on brief and evidenced-based interventions found to be effective in general mental health care settings. Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the general mental health care setting and the specific presenting mental or behavioral health issues. Work Schedule: Monday thorough Friday; Day Tour Telework: Ad-hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58856F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized