The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Social Work Coordinator serves as a program coordinator and is administratively responsible for a clinic program providing treatment to patients. The incumbent's primary responsibilities are to provide intensive case management services, continuous quality improvement activities, evaluation/consultation, psychosocial assessments, placement services, and referrals to various community agencies for Veterans who are justice-involved.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience and 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/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 (KSAs). 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), pushing, operation of motor vehicle, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working outside and inside, working closely with others, and working alone.
NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Clinical Functions as case manager for Veterans who are justice-involved, performing duties to facilitate independent community living by coordinating health, mental health, and community care. Assists incarcerated Veterans in the preparation of materials needed for applications to various agencies for entitlements, then follows the process of the application until a determination has been made. Provides referral to VA medical and mental health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs. Provide consultation and psychoeducation to Veterans and Veteran families on topics including community resources, Advance Directives, VA benefits, budgeting, activities of daily living, and recovery goals. Conducts individual and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification and treatment of substance use, psychiatric illness, and social needs as treatment issues. Collaborates with county probation officers, state attorney's office public defenders and hired attorneys to develop a post- release plan and/or community-based alternatives to incarceration. Meets with county jail administrators and staff on a regular basis to maintain appropriate policies and procedures required at each institution. Attends correctional institution staff trainings relevant to working with offenders and high-risk populations and represents the VA at community meetings, having membership on boards, councils, and task forces. Collaborates with Healthcare for Reentry Veterans Specialists in supporting engagement in care for eligible Veterans recently discharged from State and Federal prisons. Performs work in maximum, medium, and minimum-security correctional institutions as well as courts. Assists the Veteran in contact with correctional probation officer, problem solving with Veteran and probation, and advocating for Veteran with probation officer when appropriate. Conducts: routine suicide risk screens; comprehensive suicide risk evaluations, and collaborative safety plans when clinically indicated. Administrative Documents the Veteran's progress and all interactions in progress notes. Information is to be entered into the Electronic Health system within the appropriate timelines stipulated. Inputs relevant information into the HOMES database and the Veteran's electronic health record within the required timelines stipulated to document, evaluate, and enhance the quality of service provided to Veterans. Serves as a steward of program resources to facilitate safe, effective, and efficient care. Administer information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to Veterans. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. Performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies. Develop and implement information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction. Maintain familiarity with VJP performance measures. Assist with development and maintenance of operational plans and strategic plans related to those measures. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Compressed: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000